Akron leads early, beats Eastern Michigan 78-68

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 4:27 p.m. ET

foxsports

YPSILANTI, Mich. (AP) -- Jake Kretzer came off the bench to score 25 points and Demetrius Treadwell added 18 as Akron secured a decisive 78-68 victory over Eastern Michigan on Wednesday night.

Treadwell grabbed 11 boards, Kretzer added seven, and Carmelo Betancourt finished with eight assists for Akron (12-6, 4-1 Mid-American). The Zips combined to shoot 10 of 19 (52.6 percent) from 3-point range.

Akron scored 12 uncontested points to start the game, and held the Eagles to just three points over 8 minutes of play. Akron's 20-point lead at the half was too much for Eastern Michigan to overcome, despite it outscoring the Zips 49-39 in the second.

Karrington Ward scored 20 points to lead the Eagles (11-7, 3-2). Ward sparked an 11-0 run with three 3-pointers as Eastern Michigan came as close as it would get, 48-41, with 11:50 to go.

The Eagles ended the night 5 of 21 on 3-pointers.