Davis leads W Michigan over Akron 87-75 in MAC opener

Jan 3, 2018, 02:31 am

KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Josh Davis scored 26 points on 10-of-10 shooting, Thomas Wilder added 15 points with eight rebounds and seven assists, and Western Michigan beat Akron 87-75 on Tuesday night in a Mid-American Conference opener to end a six-game skid against the Zips.

Bryce Moore scored 13 points, Reggie Jones added 12 and Drake LaMont scored 11 for the Broncos (9-5), who outrebounded Akron 37-27 and scored 19 points off of 11 Zips turnovers.

Akron led by as many as five points early, but Brandon Johnson's jumper put the Broncos up for good, 16-15, and they pulled away with a 10-2 run capped by Seth Dugan's tip-in for a 33-23 lead. Davis' dunk opened a 12-2 run capped by Wilder's 3 at the buzzer and the Broncos led 47-31 at halftime.

Akron trailed by as many as 16 points in the second half, but closed to 78-69 after Jimond Ivey hit four straight free throws. Davis made a free throw, Moore hit a 3 and the Broncos led by double digits the rest of the way.

Malcolm Duvivier scored 21 points with four 3s, Ivey had 18 points and seven assists, and Daniel Utomi scored 11 for the Zips (7-6), who have yet to win on the road this season.