Recap: Akron vs. Middle Tennessee

Akron, OH (Sports Network) - Alex Abreu paced five teammates in double figures with 19 points as the Akron Zips held off the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders in overtime, 82-77, in a non-conference bout at Rhodes Arena.

Abreu also added seven assists and four steals for the Zips (4-2), while Zeke Marshall tallied 14 points, five rebounds, and five blocks. Chauncey Gilliam (13 points), Brian Walsh (12 points), and Demetrius Treadwell (10 points) rounded out a balanced scoring effort for Akron.

For Middle Tennessee (5-2), Raymond Cintron drilled four three-pointers from off the bench en route to a career-high 22 points, while Marcos Knight put up 21 points.

The Blue Raiders shot 48 percent from the floor in the first half, but Akron was even better at 54.2 percent as it took a narrow 34-33 lead into halftime.

In a back-and-forth second half, Akron extended its lead to 70-67 with 42 second left on an Abreu jumper, but on the Blue Raiders' ensuing possession, Cintron was fouled attempting a three-pointer, and he drilled all three free throws to tie the game at 70-70. Abreu missed a shot at the buzzer and the game went to overtime.

After going scoreless in regulation, Jake Kretzer had eight points in the extra session to help lift the Zips to victory.

Akron scored 26 points off of 21 Middle Tennessee turnovers.