Mid American Conference leaders square off tonight in Akron when the Eastern Division leading Akron Zips host the Western Division leading Eastern Michigan Eagles Saturday Night at James A. Rhodes Arena in Akron. The Zips(15-7, 7-1) have won 11 of their last 12 games against MAC opponents and are riding a 4-game winning streak.
The Eagles(10-12, 5-3) have lost two of their last three games, including a 62-57 road loss to Miami-OH in overtime. Saturday's game will be the only meeting between the two teams unless they meet in the MAC Conference Tournament.
Akron has been nearly unbeatable at home under Head Coach Keith Dambrot. The Zips' win over Toledo on February 1st gave Dambrot his 100th win at Rhodes Arena against just 16 losses, good for a .862 winning percentage. A win tonight and Dambrot will tie Tony Laterza for second place on Akron's career wins list.
Overall the two teams are 19-19 against each other, though the Zips are 9-2 in the last 11. The Zips beat the Eagles 67-53 in the opening round of the MAC Tournament last season.
7-footer Zeke Marshall leads the Zips balanced attack, averaging 10.5 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. The Eagles are paced by senior guard Darrell Lampley's 13.5 points per game.