AKRON, Ohio | Alabama State could not overcome their slow start and the hot shooting of Akron, falling to the Zips 86-54 at James A. Rhodes Arena Wednesday night.

The Hornets missed their first 12 shots of the contest, falling behind 17-3 with 10:17 remaining in the first half. The lone points for Alabama State (2-4) came from the free throw line courtesy of Reginald Gee and Jacoby Ross. The first field goal for the Hornets came with 9:52 to play in the first half when Therrell Gosier II hit a lay-up to trim the deficit to 17-5.

Akron kept the lead in double digits for much of the first half until Branden Johnson knocked it down to six at 19-13 with 6:49 to play in the half. The Hornets were able to keep around six for the next four minutes when Fausto Pichardo knocked down a lay-up to trim the deficit to 23-17. However, Akron was able to push it back to eight at the half, 29-21.

The second half was much the same story with Alabama State held without a field goal for the first 2:35 until Ross knocked down a three-pointer to trim the deficit to 39-25 with 17:25 to play. The Zips used a 12-0 run to push the lead to as many as 38 in the second.

Azariah Seay came off the bench late in the second half and ended the run with three consecutive three-pointers, sharing team-high honors with Reginald Gee with nine points each. Ross and Gosier each finished with eight for the Hornets, who ended the night shooting 32.7 (18-of-55) percent from the floor and 30.4 (7-of-23) percent from beyond the arc. They also shot 73.3 (11-of-15) percent from the free throw line, while forcing 17 Akron turnovers.

Tyler Cheese led Akron (5-2) with 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the floor, while also dishing out five assists. Meanwhile, Jimond Ivey added 13 points, nine rebounds and six assists; while also blocking a pair of shots and recording a pair of steals for the Zips.

Emmanuel Olojakpoke added 12 off the bench, while Daniel Utomi and Channel Banks each chipped in 10.

Akron finished the night shooting 56.7 (34-of-60) percent from the floor, including 69.7 (23-of-33) percent in the second half. They also shot 37.5 (12-of-32) percent from beyond the arc, including 56.3 (9-of-16) from beyond the arc; while they also shot just 46.2 (6-of-13) percent from the free throw line.

Alabama State is off for two weeks, returning to action December 12 on the road at Boise State. Tip is set for 7 pm (mst), and can be heard on the Hornet Sports Network.

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