BOWLING GREEN, Ohio (Interstat) — Akron built a large first-half lead and withstood a late Bowling Green surge to earn a 77-67 victory in Mid-American Conference men’s basketball Friday night at Stroh Center.

The Zips led 43-27 at halftime before the Falcons rallied with a 40-point second half. Akron’s balanced scoring proved decisive, as Amani Lyles scored 18 points and Bowen Hardman added 15. Eric Mahaffey contributed 14 points for the Zips.

Bowling Green’s Mayar Wol led all scorers with 32 points in the loss. Attendance was 2,272. Akron improved to 11-4 overall, while Bowling Green fell to 11-6.