Akron Zips Dominate Buffalo Bulls in High-Scoring Affair
Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · James A. Rhodes Arena
Akron Zips 99, Buffalo Bulls 85, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Buffalo Bulls vs Akron Zips?
Akron Zips beat Buffalo Bulls 99-85 at James A. Rhodes Arena on February 24, 2026.
Who was favored in Buffalo Bulls vs Akron Zips?
Akron Zips were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -1600 (about 94% implied). The favorite won.
The Akron Zips showcased their dominance in a decisive victory against the Buffalo Bulls, finishing the game with a score of 99 to 85. This matchup was particularly notable as it marked the fourth consecutive win for Akron over Buffalo in their recent meetings, extending their head-to-head record to 4-0 against the Bulls in the past two seasons. The game took place at the James A. Rhodes Arena, where Akron has maintained a strong home presence, boasting a home record of 23-5 for the season.
Akron entered the game riding a wave of momentum, having won nine of their last ten games, with their most recent performance being a 78-65 victory over Ball State on February 20. Their offensive prowess has been evident, averaging 83.4 points per game while allowing 72.3 points in that stretch. They have been particularly effective at home, where they have a perfect record of 4-0 in their last four games. In contrast, Buffalo has struggled recently, with a record of 3-7 in their last ten games, although they managed to snap a losing streak with a win against Massachusetts on February 21.
The Zips' scoring average of 80.4 points in their last five games reflects their offensive capabilities, while Buffalo's average of 71.8 points in the same stretch indicates a less consistent scoring output. Akron's ability to score heavily was on display throughout the game, with multiple players contributing to their total, including a strong performance in the second half.
In terms of previous meetings, Akron had already defeated Buffalo earlier in the season, with a score of 82-63 on January 20. Their dominance in this fixture has been clear, as they also won decisively in the previous two encounters, scoring 90-58 and 88-70 in the 2025 season. This consistency in performance against Buffalo has positioned Akron as a formidable opponent.
The betting market reflected Akron's strong form, with DraftKings setting the spread at -15.5 in favor of the Zips, indicating expectations for a significant home victory. The total points line was set at 160.5, suggesting an anticipated high-scoring game, which ultimately came to fruition with a combined score of 184 points.
In terms of player performances, Akron's scoring was bolstered by several key contributions, particularly in the second half. The Zips maintained control of the game, and their ability to score from the free-throw line in the final moments helped them secure the win. Buffalo's Ryan Sabol made a notable three-point jumper, but it was not enough to turn the tide in their favor.
As for injuries, there were no significant updates affecting the rosters for this game, allowing both teams to field their usual lineups. The conditions at the James A. Rhodes Arena were conducive to a high-paced game, with both teams pushing the tempo and looking for scoring opportunities.
Viewers should have noted Akron's offensive strategy, which focused on quick ball movement and exploiting mismatches, while Buffalo attempted to counter with their own offensive plays. The game highlighted the contrasting forms of the two teams, with Akron clearly establishing themselves as a top contender in their league, while Buffalo continues to seek consistency as they navigate the remainder of the season.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | AKR -15.5 | 160.5 o -110 / u -110 | Buffalo Bulls +900 · Akron Zips -1600 |
Leaders
- PointsTavari Johnson23Akron Zips
- AssistsTavari Johnson5Akron Zips
- ReboundsAmani Lyles10Akron Zips
- PointsRyan Sabol26Buffalo Bulls
- AssistsDerrick Talton Jr.6Buffalo Bulls
- ReboundsRyan Sabol8Buffalo Bulls
Recent form
Akron Zips
Last 10: 9-1Streak W383.4 scored · 72.3 allowed per game4-0 at home
- W78-65at Ball State CardinalsFeb 20
- W90-73at Western Michigan BroncosFeb 18
- W99-92vs Massachusetts MinutemenFeb 14
- L69-79at Troy TrojansFeb 7
- W66-64at Eastern Michigan EaglesFeb 3
- W69-52vs Kent State Golden FlashesJan 30
- W91-81vs Toledo RocketsJan 28
- W86-65at Ohio BobcatsJan 24
- W82-63at Buffalo BullsJan 20
- W104-89vs Western Michigan BroncosJan 17
Buffalo Bulls
Last 10: 3-7Streak W176.3 scored · 78.9 allowed per game3-2 away
- W86-82at Massachusetts MinutemenFeb 21
- L70-72vs Northern Illinois HuskiesFeb 17
- W63-53at Ball State CardinalsFeb 12
- L69-81at South Alabama JaguarsFeb 7
- L71-73vs Miami (OH) RedHawksFeb 3
- L83-95vs Ohio BobcatsJan 31
- W89-78at Bowling Green FalconsJan 28
- L67-68vs Massachusetts MinutemenJan 24
- L63-82vs Akron ZipsJan 20
- L102-105at Miami (OH) RedHawksJan 17
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami (OH) | 32-2 | - | 18-0 |
| Akron | 29-6 | 1 | 17-1 |
| Kent State | 24-10 | 4 | 14-4 |
| Toledo | 19-15 | 7 | 11-7 |
| Bowling Green | 18-14 | 9 | 9-9 |
| Ohio | 15-17 | 9 | 9-9 |
| Buffalo | 17-15 | 11 | 7-11 |
| Massachusetts | 17-16 | 11 | 7-11 |
| Ball State | 12-19 | 11 | 7-11 |
| Central Michigan | 10-21 | 12 | 6-12 |
| Western Michigan | 10-21 | 14 | 4-14 |
| Eastern Michigan | 10-21 | 14 | 4-14 |
| Northern Illinois | 9-21 | 10 | 4-14 |
Box score
| Stat | Buffalo Bulls | Akron Zips |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 25-67 | 32-58 |
| Field goal % | 37 | 55 |
| Three-pointers | 9-33 | 9-21 |
| Three-point % | 27 | 43 |
| Free throws | 26-33 | 26-29 |
| Free throw % | 79 | 90 |
| Rebounds | 36 | 38 |
| Offensive rebounds | 17 | 8 |
| Defensive rebounds | 19 | 30 |
| Assists | 12 | 18 |
| Steals | 9 | 8 |
| Blocks | 4 | 0 |
| Turnovers | 14 | 17 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 27 | 22 |
| Fast-break points | 22 | 25 |
| Points in the paint | 32 | 46 |
| Fouls | 20 | 21 |
| Largest lead | 7 | 25 |
| Lead changes | 8 | 8 |
| Time in front | 23 | 73 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half51-72Eric Mahaffey makes layup (Sharron Young assists)
- 2nd Half52-72Daniel Freitag makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half53-72Daniel Freitag makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half53-75Eric Mahaffey makes 24-foot three point jumper (Tavari Johnson assists)
- 2nd Half53-78Amani Lyles makes 25-foot three point jumper (Evan Mahaffey assists)
- 2nd Half55-78Ryan Sabol makes driving layup (Daniel Freitag assists)
- 2nd Half55-80Tavari Johnson makes driving layup
- 2nd Half56-80Daniel Freitag makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half57-80Daniel Freitag makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half57-81Tavari Johnson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half57-82Tavari Johnson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half59-82Angelo Brizzi makes layup
- 2nd Half59-83Tavari Johnson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half59-84Tavari Johnson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half62-84Angelo Brizzi makes 26-foot three point jumper (Derrick Talton Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half62-85Tavari Johnson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half62-86Tavari Johnson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half64-86Noah Batchelor makes layup
- 2nd Half66-86Daniel Freitag makes layup
- 2nd Half67-86Angelo Brizzi makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half67-88Amani Lyles makes driving layup
- 2nd Half67-89Sharron Young makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half70-89Ryan Sabol makes 24-foot three point jumper (Daniel Freitag assists)
- 2nd Half72-89Noah Batchelor makes layup (Derrick Talton Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half74-89Daniel Freitag makes 4-foot dunk
- 2nd Half74-90Evan Mahaffey makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half74-91Evan Mahaffey makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half75-91Angelo Brizzi makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half76-91Angelo Brizzi makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half78-91Daniel Freitag makes layup
- 2nd Half78-93Amani Lyles makes layup (Eric Mahaffey assists)
- 2nd Half78-95Tavari Johnson makes layup (Amani Lyles assists)
- 2nd Half81-95Ryan Sabol makes 24-foot three point jumper (Derrick Talton Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half82-95Daniel Freitag makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half83-95Daniel Freitag makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half83-96Eric Mahaffey makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half83-97Eric Mahaffey makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half83-98Amani Lyles makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half83-99Amani Lyles makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half85-99Ryan Sabol makes layup
Win probability
Above the line favours Akron Zips, below favours Buffalo Bulls.
Venue
- James A. Rhodes ArenaAkron, OH
- Attendance2323
- OfficialsChad Barlow, Tim Stewart, Andy O'Brien
Elsewhere
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- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
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