AKRON, Ohio -- Cedrick Middleton scored 17 points and Jimmy
Conyers hit two key free throws late in the game as Akron held off
a late Temple rally to win 67-65 Monday night.
The Zips (4-1) built a 62-49 lead with four minutes to play, but
that was narrowed to just three when Temple's Luis Guzman made a
3-pointer with 27 seconds left to cap a 13-3 run.
Seconds later, Conyers stepped to the line and sank both free
throws to give the Zips a five point cushion. Guzman made a layup
and teammate Mark Tyndale made one of two free throws, but it
wasn't enough.
Nick Dials scored 16 points and Jeremiah Woods had 14 for the
Zips. Conyers added nine points and nine rebounds.
Dionte Christmas scored 17, Lavoy Allen had 12 and Guzman and
Sergio Olmos both had 11 for Temple (2-4). Christmas and Allen both
had eight rebounds.
The two teams have only met once on the hardwood, that being an
80-73 overtime win by Akron in the first round of the 2006 NIT at
the Liacouras Center. That game was the last in coach John Chaney's
24 years at Temple.