Akron 80, Ohio 77

3/4/2008 9:31 PM

ATHENS, Ohio (AP) -Jeremiah Wood scored 19 points and made a layup with 28 seconds left Tuesday night, leading Akron to an 80-77 victory over Ohio that spoiled the Bobcats' perfect record at home this season.

Akron (21-8, 11-4 Mid-American) pulled ahead midway through the first half and never trailed again, holding on in the closing minutes for its second win over Ohio (18-11, 8-7) this season.

Wood and Cedrick Middleton scored 19 points apiece for Akron, which leads the conference in scoring at 71.6 points per game. The Zips shot 64 percent from the field in the second half, when they led by as many as 11 points.

The Bobcats cut it to 76-74 on Bubba Walther's two free throws with 52 seconds left. Wood's basket rebuilt the lead to four points with 28 seconds to go, and Ohio's Michael Allen missed a 3-point attempt. Nick Dials then clinched it with a pair of free throws with 8 seconds remaining.

Leon Williams led Ohio with 23 points, 17 of them in the first half. Walther added 22 points, and Jerome Tillman had 18.

The Bobcats had their 12-game home winning streak snapped despite a 33-17 advantage in rebounds and a huge advantage in free throws. Ohio was 26-of-34 from the line, while Akron was 12-of-16.