AKRON, Ohio (Interstat) — A dominant second-half performance propelled the Akron Zips to an 85-71 season-opening victory over the James Madison Dukes in a non-conference men’s NCAA Division I basketball game Monday night at James A. Rhodes Arena.

After trailing by nine points at halftime, the Zips erupted for 55 points in the second half, overwhelming the Dukes with a combination of efficient offense and stifling defense before a crowd of 2,461.

The game’s momentum shifted decisively in the opening minutes of the second period. Akron, which had managed only 30 points in the first half, came out of the locker room with renewed energy, quickly erasing the deficit and seizing control with a series of runs that a disjointed James Madison squad could not answer.

Amani Lyles was the catalyst for the Zips’ resurgence. The 6-foot-7, 240-pound forward from Columbus, Ohio, delivered a powerhouse performance off the bench, scoring a game-high 22 points and pulling down eight rebounds in just 27 minutes of action. His presence in the paint was felt on both ends of the floor, as he also registered four blocked shots, altering countless others and helping Akron establish interior dominance after the break.

The Zips’ offensive efficiency was staggering in the second half. For the game, they scored 85 points on just 73 possessions, translating to an offensive rating of 116.8, a mark that signifies an elite-level performance. Their ability to capitalize on James Madison’s mistakes was a key factor; Akron scored 23 points from the free throw line, capitalizing on 29 attempts, while the Dukes committed 17 turnovers, which the Zips converted into crucial points.

Shammah Scott, a 6-foot-2 guard from Cleveland, provided a significant scoring punch for Akron, leading the starters with 17 points. Tavari Johnson added 14 points, and Sharron Young chipped in 10, giving the Zips a balanced backcourt attack. Evan Mahaffey, a 6-foot-6 guard from Cincinnati, orchestrated much of the offense, dishing out a team-high six assists to go with six rebounds, four points and two blocks.

James Madison, which fell to 0-1 with the loss, saw its strong first-half performance evaporate under Akron’s relentless pressure. The Dukes shot the ball reasonably well from beyond the arc, making 11 of 29 three-point attempts, but struggled to generate consistent offense inside. They finished the game 24 of 61 from the floor overall.

The Dukes were led by a trio of double-digit scorers. Cliff Davis and Justin McBride each tallied 14 points, while Bradley Douglas contributed 11. Paul Lewis facilitated the offense with a team-high five assists to go with his 12 points. However, the team’s offensive flow was hampered by their 17 turnovers and a mere five assists as a unit, highlighting their struggles against Akron’s active defense, which recorded 10 steals.

The first half belonged entirely to the visiting Dukes. They built their lead behind a 39-point effort, capitalizing on early Zip misses and maintaining a steady offensive rhythm. The nine-point halftime advantage, however, proved fragile against an Akron team that Interstat’s ELO system had given an 81.10 percent probability to win, and who entered the game as a seven-point favorite.

The Zips’ victory ensured that the total score of 156 points stayed just under the pregame over/under line of 155.

With the win, Akron begins its season 1-0 and will look to build on this comeback victory when they host Princeton on Saturday, Nov. 8. The schedule quickly intensifies for the Zips, with a road game against Purdue looming on Sunday, Nov. 16.

James Madison, now 0-1, will seek its first win of the season in its home opener against Wash. & Lee on Wednesday, Nov. 5. The Dukes then face a stretch of games that includes a road contest at Longwood and a neutral-site game against Omaha in Miami.