Akron, down by nine points at halftime, rallied behind Chauncey Gilliam and Alex Abreu to defeat Kent State 61-55 Friday night.
The Zips, who had four players in double figures, trailed 27-18 at intermission. They outscored Kent State (20-10, 10-6 Mid-American Conference) 43-28 in the second half.
Akron (21-10, 3-3) opened the second half on a 12-0 run, all those points scored by Gilliam (12 total points), Abreu and Brian Walsh (10 apiece) and Zeke Marshall. The Zips' center totaled 12 points, seven rebounds and four blocks.
Marshall went 6 for 8 at the foul line to help give Akron a decisive free-throw advantage. The Zips were 16 of 22 at the stripe, Kent State 9 of 16.
Akron hit 7 of 8 foul shots in the last 1:12, Abreu going 4 for 4.
Michael Porrini led Kent State with 14 points and eight rebounds.
