ATHENS (AP) — Josh Williams scored 20 points and Akron pulled away late from the free throw line to beat Ohio, 80-68 Tuesday night.

The Zips grabbed the lead five minutes in and never relinquished it, but had trouble pulling away.

Doug Taylor hit a pair of free throws with 14:32 left to make it a one-point game, 44-43, but the Bobcats could not wrest the lead away from Akron down the stretch. Antonio Campbell’s layup got Ohio within three, 63-60 with 4:38 left, but the Bobcats could get no closer and Noah Robotham converted 9 of 10 from the line in the final 1:37 to help Akron pull away.

Isaiah Johnson added 18 points and Robotham was 11 of 12 from the line for 14 points to lead Akron (18-4, 7-2 Mid-American).

Campbell finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds to lead Ohio (13-8, 4-5), Treg Setty added 17 points and 10 boards.

AKRON 80, OHIO 68

AKRON (18-4)

Cheatham Jr. 2-5 0-0 5, Robotham 1-6 11-12 14, McAdams 3-10 0-1 8, Forsythe 2-5 2-3 6, An. Jackson 1-8 0-0 2, Ivey 1-2 0-0 2, Williams 7-8 2-2 20, Kretzer 2-7 0-0 5, Johnson 8-13 2-3 18. Totals 27-64 17-21 80.

OHIO (13-8)

Setty 8-11 0-3 17, Simmons 2-9 3-6 7, Kaminski 4-12 2-3 12, Campbell 7-12 3-3 18, Dartis 1-5 0-0 3, Mompremier 0-0 1-2 1, Block 1-4 0-0 3, Laster 0-1 1-2 1, Taylor 2-3 2-2 6. Totals 25-57 12-21 68.

Halftime-Akron 36-29. 3-Point Goals-Akron 9-28 (Williams 4-5, McAdams 2-9, Cheatham Jr. 1-1, Robotham 1-3, Kretzer 1-6, An. Jackson 0-4), Ohio 6-20 (Kaminski 2-8, Setty 1-2, Campbell 1-2, Dartis 1-3, Block 1-4, Simmons 0-1). Fouled Out-Simmons. Rebounds-Akron 38 (Johnson 9), Ohio 40 (Campbell 12). Assists-Akron 11 (Robotham 3), Ohio 12 (Simmons 8). Total Fouls-Akron 17, Ohio 18. A-6,403.