Akron Zips Edge Buffalo Bulls in Close Contest
Thursday, March 12, 2026, 4:00 PM ET · Rocket Arena
Akron Zips 73, Buffalo Bulls 70, 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 73-70 at Rocket Arena on March 12, 2026.
Who was favored in Buffalo Bulls vs Akron Zips?
Akron Zips were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -1000 (about 91% implied). The favorite won.
In a tightly contested matchup, the Akron Zips emerged victorious over the Buffalo Bulls with a final score of 73-70. This game, held at Rocket Arena, showcased the Zips' strong home performance against a struggling Bulls team. Akron, boasting a home record of 27-5, has been dominant at home, and this victory marked their seventh consecutive win, further solidifying their impressive form.
The Zips entered the game with a recent record of 9-1 over their last ten games, averaging 83.3 points scored while allowing 69.9 points. Their last five games alone reflected an even stronger performance, with an average of 88.0 points scored and 67.8 points allowed. In contrast, the Bulls have struggled, holding a record of 3-7 in their last ten outings and averaging 74.7 points scored while allowing 79.6 points. Buffalo's recent form has not been favorable, with their last victory occurring against Eastern Michigan on March 3, followed by a loss to Toledo on March 7.
Historically, the Zips have had the upper hand in their matchups against the Bulls, winning all four meetings in the last two seasons. This includes a significant victory earlier in the season on February 25, where Akron defeated Buffalo 99-85. The Zips' consistency in these encounters has established a psychological edge, which they maintained in this latest clash.
In terms of home and away performance, Akron has excelled at home, finishing the season with a perfect 4-0 record in their last four home games. Buffalo, however, has struggled on the road, with a 1-4 record in their last five away games, highlighting their difficulties in securing wins outside of their home venue.
Injuries did not play a significant role in this matchup, as both teams appeared to field their best possible lineups. The absence of key players can often shift the dynamics of a game, but both teams were relatively healthy, allowing for a competitive contest.
The market had set the odds with Akron favored at -12.5 according to DraftKings, indicating expectations of a comfortable win for the Zips. The total points line was set at 158.5, suggesting a high-scoring affair, which ultimately reflected in the close final score.
As the game progressed, it was evident that the Zips relied on their home-court advantage, yet the Bulls fought hard to stay in contention. Key moments in the second half included Amani Lyles' dunk that brought the Bulls within striking distance at 58-71 and Ryan Sabol's three-point jumper that cut the deficit to 61-71. Despite their efforts, the Bulls could not overcome the Zips, who maintained their composure in the final minutes.
The closing moments saw Akron's Tavari Johnson make crucial free throws that sealed the game at 73-70, showcasing the Zips' ability to execute under pressure. The game highlighted not only the offensive skills of both teams but also their defensive strategies, as each side attempted to control the pace and flow of the game.
Overall, this matchup was a testament to Akron's strength at home and their ability to perform in high-pressure situations, while Buffalo will need to regroup and address their recent struggles as they look forward to future contests.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | AKR -12.5 | 158.5 o -115 / u -105 | Buffalo Bulls +650 · Akron Zips -1000 |
Leaders
- PointsTavari Johnson25Akron Zips
- AssistsShammah Scott3Akron Zips
- ReboundsAmani Lyles16Akron Zips
- PointsRyan Sabol24Buffalo Bulls
- AssistsDerrick Talton Jr.6Buffalo Bulls
- ReboundsTim Oboh12Buffalo Bulls
Recent form
Akron Zips
Last 10: 9-1Streak W783.3 scored · 69.9 allowed per game4-0 at home
- W94-55vs Northern Illinois HuskiesMar 6
- W77-64at Central Michigan ChippewasMar 4
- W92-70at Kent State Golden FlashesFeb 28
- W99-85vs Buffalo BullsFeb 25
- 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
Buffalo Bulls
Last 10: 3-7Streak L174.7 scored · 79.6 allowed per game2-3 away
- L78-99at Toledo RocketsMar 7
- W72-67vs Eastern Michigan EaglesMar 3
- L70-75vs Central Michigan ChippewasFeb 28
- L85-99at Akron ZipsFeb 25
- 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
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 | 25-54 | 27-59 |
| Field goal % | 46 | 46 |
| Three-pointers | 10-27 | 8-24 |
| Three-point % | 37 | 33 |
| Free throws | 10-20 | 11-18 |
| Free throw % | 50 | 61 |
| Rebounds | 33 | 36 |
| Offensive rebounds | 6 | 10 |
| Defensive rebounds | 27 | 26 |
| Assists | 13 | 12 |
| Steals | 7 | 9 |
| Blocks | 1 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 13 | 11 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 9 | 14 |
| Fast-break points | 8 | 18 |
| Points in the paint | 30 | 32 |
| Fouls | 17 | 16 |
| Largest lead | 5 | 16 |
| Lead changes | 6 | 6 |
| Time in front | 13 | 83 |
How the scoring went
- 1st Half28-42Ryan Sabol makes free throw 1 of 2
- 1st Half29-42Ryan Sabol makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half31-42Tim Oboh makes layup
- 2nd Half31-44Tavari Johnson makes 14-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half34-44Ryan Sabol makes 25-foot three point jumper (Derrick Talton Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half34-45Amani Lyles makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half35-45Derrick Talton Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half36-45Derrick Talton Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half36-48Evan Mahaffey makes 23-foot three point jumper (Tavari Johnson assists)
- 2nd Half36-50Amani Lyles makes layup (Shammah Scott assists)
- 2nd Half36-52Tavari Johnson makes 10-foot floating jump shot
- 2nd Half38-52Tim Oboh makes 7-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half38-54Amani Lyles makes driving layup (Shammah Scott assists)
- 2nd Half41-54Ryan Sabol makes 22-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half41-57Shammah Scott makes 26-foot three point jumper (Evan Mahaffey assists)
- 2nd Half42-57Kyle Jones makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half43-57Kyle Jones makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half43-59Evan Mahaffey makes 10-foot turnaround jump shot
- 2nd Half45-59Tim Oboh makes layup
- 2nd Half47-59Angelo Brizzi makes layup
- 2nd Half47-61Tavari Johnson makes layup
- 2nd Half50-61Ryan Sabol makes 24-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half52-61Derrick Talton Jr. makes driving layup
- 2nd Half53-61Angelo Brizzi makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half54-61Angelo Brizzi makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half54-63Shammah Scott makes driving layup
- 2nd Half56-63Angelo Brizzi makes driving layup
- 2nd Half56-65Sharron Young makes driving layup
- 2nd Half56-67Amani Lyles makes driving layup (Evan Mahaffey assists)
- 2nd Half58-67Ryan Sabol makes driving layup
- 2nd Half58-68Tavari Johnson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half58-69Tavari Johnson makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half58-71Amani Lyles makes 1-foot dunk
- 2nd Half61-71Ryan Sabol makes 24-foot three point jumper (Noah Batchelor assists)
- 2nd Half62-71Angelo Brizzi makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half65-71Ryan Sabol makes 24-foot three point jumper (Noah Batchelor assists)
- 2nd Half68-71Noah Batchelor makes 22-foot three point jumper (Derrick Talton Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half70-71Tim Oboh makes 0-foot alley oop dunk (Angelo Brizzi assists)
- 2nd Half70-72Tavari Johnson makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half70-73Tavari Johnson makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Akron Zips, below favours Buffalo Bulls.
Venue
- Rocket ArenaCleveland, OH
- OfficialsTim Stewart, Tariq Lucas, Mason Siler
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