In front of 5,390 fans at College Park Center, UTA dismantled the University of Akron Zips in an 85-69 win Monday to advance to the quarterfinals of the National Invitation Tournament and remain undefeated at home.
After the Zips opened the game with a 3-pointer, the Mavericks responded with a 9-0 run to go in front 9-3. Akron responded with a 5-0 spurt to make it a one-point game, but UTA used a 11-1 run to go up 20-9.
With 4:57 remaining in the first half, the Zips cut the Mavericks’ lead to six, junior forward Kevin Hervey hit a layup and junior guard Kaelon Wilson threw down a thunderous dunk to put UTA up 34-24 and ignite the fans in the arena.