Ohio zips by Akron, 70-65

Published 2:42 am Wednesday, January 21, 2009

DeVaughn Washington scored seven of Ohio’s 14 overtime points to help the Bobcats overcome an Akron rally and defeat the Zips 70-65 Tuesday night.

Akron (9-8, 1-3 Mid-American Conference) had a four-point lead halfway into OT, but Washington was fouled by Nate Linhart on a dunk and hit the free throw for a three-point play that started Ohio’s 12-3 run toward the win.

Ohio (10-7, 3-1) led until the last second of regulation play, pulling ahead by as many as 15. A 3-pointer by Anthony Hitchens sparked the Zips to outscore Ohio 23-11 in the last 11 minutes, and Brett McKnight’s tip-in at the buzzer ended six unanswered Akron points to force overtime.

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Michael Allen led Ohio with a career-high 17 points and five steals, Jerome Tillman finished with 12 and Tommy Freeman added 10. Chris McKnight led Akron with 14 points.

Ohio hit 22-of-32 from the foul line. Akron was just 9-of 14.