Zips extend RedHawks' losing streak to four; Freeman posts 11th double-double of season

If you sense a basketball team is down, it’s best to keep that team right where it is.

The University of Akron knew Miami University came into Rhodes Arena limping from a three-game losing streak.

The Zips made it four in a row with a 66-55 win on Friday.

It kept UA (14-6, 7-3) in the Mid-American Conference mix and gave the Zips their fifth win in their past six games.

Enrique Freeman (21 points, 13 rebounds), Xavier Castaneda (11 points, 3 assists) and Ali Ali (10, 4 assists) reached double figures for UA.

Dae Dae Grant led the RedHawks (9-12, 3-7) with 20 points. Mekhi Lairy had 12.

Deadeye defense

If UA is going to contend for a MAC title, the Zips know they’ll have to do it with defense.

Through 19 games, they were allowing opponents to shoot 42.3 percent (447-for-1,056). That wasn’t the case against the RedHawks, who shot just 36.8 (21-for-27) from the floor and 29.4 percent from behind the 3-point arc (5-for-17).

With Bryan Trimble out in the second half due to injury – he’s day-to-day – the Zips knew they had to step it up on the other end.

“Defense was good, especially in the second half,” UA coach John Groce said. “I thought our talk was good. I thought we had great energy. I thought guys were playing for each other. We had a really good spirit about us in the second half.

“It was a weird stat sheet at halftime. One of the oddest ones I’ve seen this season for sure. We’re shooting 50 percent, 33 percent from 3, had more rebounds, more free throws. They’re shooting 36 percent. If you’re not looking at the score at the bottom, you’re thinking Akron is probably up 10. It was a three-point game.”

Miami got off to a hot start and went ahead 14-7 at the 13:32 mark of the first half but scored just 13 points the rest of the half.

Those shooting woes continued, thanks to the one-and-done mentality the Zips had defensively.

UA allowed just five offensive rebounds and seven second-chance points and controlled the boards 40-26.

“Everyone that has won the MAC in the past has had a great defensive team,” Ali said. “We’re aware of that. It’s something we’re working on every day. It’s going to be huge in March. You can’t always rely on the jumper and that’s something we’ve learned throughout the season.”

Seeing double again

Freeman has been a double-double machine this season for the Zips.

The 21 points and 13 rebounds were both game highs, but that’s something the Zips have come to expect out of their sophomore forward.

It was the third consecutive double-double and MAC-leading 11th of the season for Freeman.

“I think the biggest thing for me is that my teammates expect it out of me,” Freeman said. “That’s my role. I emphasize it every day and every game. They’re going to need me to get that every possession. We’re not always going to shoot the great shot. Maybe if I can get them an extra possession, we get a few extra shots.”

Freeman is one of only 13 players in the NCAA to average a double-double (12.9 points, 10.9 rebounds). He ranks in the top 20 in five categories and is second overall in offensive rebounds per game (3.6).

His consistency shows with season highs of 24 points and 14 rebounds.

“He brings it every time,” Ali said. “That’s what a lot of people don’t do. That’s what separates him. Obviously, he has long arms and great height, but it’s his motor, his will. He’s going to seek out extra possessions for us and that’s huge. That’s what he’s been doing for us since he got here.”

MAC-tastic

As the conference hits the halfway point for the Zips, they are two games behind Ohio (18-3, 9-1) and a game in the loss column behind Toledo (18-5, 10-2).

“They’re all big if you want to have a chance,” Groce said. “They’re all important right now. Mathematically, if you want to stay in the race, you want to stay one game at a time to give yourself a chance. You don’t want to bury yourself too much. There’s plenty of games left.”

The next one comes Sunday in Oxford against the same RedHawks.

The Zips have already turned the page as they ready the rematch.

“Every game is different,” Groce said. “You have to play the game in front of you. … What we did tonight has nothing to do with the game Sunday at 4 o’clock. You have to play again. You don’t get any extra points because you won on Friday.”

Contact Brad Bournival at bbournival@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @bbournival.

Akron at Miami

Time: 4 p.m. Sunday

TV/Radio: ESPN3/WHLO (640-AM)

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Freeman leads Akron Zips over Miami in men's basketball