AKRON, Ohio (Interstat) — Tavari Johnson scored 23 points to lead Akron to a 99-92 victory over Massachusetts in a Mid-American Conference men’s basketball game Friday night at James A. Rhodes Arena.

The Zips improved to 18-5 overall by overcoming a 43-44 halftime deficit with a 55-point second half. The Minutemen fell to 15-11 despite 20 points from K’Jei Parker and 18 each from Marcus Banks and Leonardo Bettiol.

Akron capitalized on Massachusetts mistakes, scoring 24 points off turnovers and adding 26 fastbreak points. Johnson added four assists in 36 minutes for the Zips. Danny Carbuccia paced Massachusetts with nine assists.

A crowd of 2,125 saw the game, which surpassed the pregame over/under line. Akron next plays at Western Michigan on Tuesday. Massachusetts hosts Miami (Ohio) on Tuesday.