Roberts, McNees help Akron rally in second half to knock off Niagara 80-68

Akron rallies to beat Niagara 80-68

AKRON, Ohio — Darryl Roberts scored 15 points to lead five Akron players in double figures in an 80-68 victory over Niagara on Sunday.

The Zips (4-2) outscored Niagara 57-37 in the second half to erase an eight-point halftime deficit and win their fourth consecutive game.

Niagara (4-3) led 42-41 on Tyrone Lewis’ 3-pointer with 14:47 left in the game, but Steve McNees, who finished with 14 points, hit three 3-pointers in 2 minutes. Zeke Marshall scored on a layup to give the Zips a 52-45 lead with 12:25 left.

Akron didn’t trail again, building its advantage to 80-65 on Jimmy Conyers’ free throw with 15 seconds left.

Conyers finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds as the Zips outrebounded the Purple Eagles 42-31. Marshall added 12 and Nikola Cvetinovic scored 11 points for Akron.

Lewis led Niagara with 21 points, Bilal Benn added 17 and Demetrius Williamson scored 11 points.