Akron Zips Show Toughness in Rivalry Win Over Kent State

Akron's defense neutralized Kent State's formidable big men in a dominant victory.

Feb. 28, 2026 at 11:05am

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The Akron Zips basketball team showcased their toughness and physicality in a 92-70 victory over rival Kent State. Akron forwards Amani Lyles and Evan Mahaffey led the defensive effort, effectively containing Kent State's starting big men Delrecco Gillespie and Rob Whaley Jr. Despite an uncharacteristically poor offensive performance from Lyles, he remained engaged on the defensive end and on the boards, impacting the game in other ways. Mahaffey also demonstrated his versatility, guarding multiple positions and holding his own against the physical Kent State frontcourt.

Why it matters

This game highlighted Akron's ability to adapt their style of play and match the physicality of their opponent when necessary. As the two-time defending Mid-American Conference Tournament champions, Akron has typically relied on their offensive firepower, but this performance showed they can also grind out wins through tough, physical defense. This will be an important skill for the Zips to have as they look to make another deep postseason run.

The details

Akron's defense was the key to the game, as they were able to neutralize Kent State's starting big men Delrecco Gillespie and Rob Whaley Jr. Gillespie, who was averaging 18.7 points and 11.6 rebounds per game, was held to just 7 points on 3-of-15 shooting. Whaley, who was averaging 11.6 points and 4.3 rebounds, was limited to 9 points on 4-of-6 shooting. Akron forwards Amani Lyles and Evan Mahaffey were the primary defenders against Gillespie and Whaley, using their size and physicality to disrupt the Kent State offense in the paint.

  • Akron extended its series winning streak to seven games, not having lost to Kent State since March 10, 2023.
  • Akron (24-5, 15-1) extended its winning streak to five games, while Kent State (21-8, 12-4) saw its four-game winning streak snapped.

The players

Amani Lyles

A 6-foot-9, 240-pound forward for Akron who played a key role in the Zips' defensive effort against Kent State's big men.

Evan Mahaffey

A 6-foot-6, 215-pound wing for Akron who demonstrated his versatility by guarding multiple positions, including Kent State's Gillespie and Whaley.

Delrecco Gillespie

Kent State's starting forward who was held to a season-low 7 points on 3-of-15 shooting.

Rob Whaley Jr.

Kent State's starting center who was limited to 9 points on 4-of-6 shooting.

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What they’re saying

“I think this is one of the more complete games we've played, and I thought we were pretty tough from start to finish. Execution was pretty good as well. That's why we played well. You match that with some toughness and some force, then you've got something.”

— John Groce, Akron Head Coach

“We did a good job just matching their energy, hitting them first, just dominating the paint area. We take a lot of pride in that.”

— Amani Lyles, Akron Forward

What’s next

Akron will look to continue their strong play as they prepare for the upcoming Mid-American Conference Tournament, where they will be seeking their third straight championship.

The takeaway

Akron's ability to adapt their style of play and match the physicality of their opponent when necessary is a valuable asset as they look to make another deep postseason run. This game showcased the Zips' toughness and defensive prowess, which could prove crucial in the high-stakes environment of tournament play.