Akron Crushes Kent State, 92-70, Improves to 15-1 in MAC

Zips' bench outscores Kent State reserves 53-22 in road victory

Feb. 28, 2026 at 4:03am

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Shammah Scott scored 23 points and Tavari Johnson added 22 as the Akron Zips defeated the Kent State Golden Flashes 92-70 in a Mid-American Conference matchup on Friday night. Akron, ranked second in the MAC, improved to 15-1 in conference play and 24-5 overall, while Kent State dropped to 12-4 and 21-8.

Why it matters

This victory keeps Akron in strong position to contend for the MAC regular season title, while Kent State's loss drops them further behind in the conference standings. The rivalry between these two Northeast Ohio schools is an intense one, making this an important win for Akron.

The details

Akron seized control of the game with a 12-0 run in the first half, sparked by consecutive 3-pointers from Shammah Scott. The Zips then extended their lead to double digits late in the first half and never looked back, building a cushion after the break and leading by as many as 27 points in the second half. Akron shot an impressive 77.8% from the free-throw line, 55.2% from the field, and 14-of-18 from 3-point range.

  • The game was played on Friday, February 28, 2026.
  • Akron is now 15-1 in MAC play and 24-5 overall this season.
  • Kent State dropped to 12-4 in the MAC and 21-8 overall.

The players

Shammah Scott

Akron guard who scored a team-high 23 points in the victory.

Tavari Johnson

Akron forward who scored 22 points to complement Scott's performance.

Sharron Young

Akron guard who scored 19 points, including three straight 3-pointers in the first half to extend Akron's lead.

Morgan Safford

Kent State's leading scorer with 15 points in the losing effort.

Rayvon Griffith

Kent State guard who scored 13 points in the game.

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What they’re saying

“We must continue to play with this level of intensity and execution if we want to win the MAC regular season title.”

— Shammah Scott, Akron Guard (cleveland.com)

“This was a tough loss, but we'll regroup and get ready for our next game against Northern Illinois.”

— Morgan Safford, Kent State Forward (cleveland.com)

What’s next

Akron will travel to Central Michigan for their next game, while Kent State will visit Northern Illinois on Tuesday.

The takeaway

Akron's dominant performance, led by the scoring of Scott and Johnson, keeps them firmly in contention for the MAC regular season crown. Meanwhile, Kent State's loss drops them further behind in the conference standings, making their upcoming game against Northern Illinois a crucial one as they look to bounce back.