The Akron men's basketball team held a two-point lead at halftime, but couldn't overcome an 8-2 run to open the second half as LSU defeated the Zips 73-58 in the semifinal round of the 2022 Cayman Island Classic at John Gray Gymnasium on Tuesday.
Senior Xavier Castaneda (Chicago, Ill.) led Akron (3-2) in scoring with a game-high 28 points while adding six rebounds and four assists. Junior transfer Sammy Hunter (Nassau, Bahamas) followed with 13 points and junior Enrique Freeman (Cleveland, Ohio) grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds. Akron won the battle of the glass, outrebounding LSU (5-0) 36-31.
The first half showcased five lead changes and four tied scores, with Akron's largest lead coming at the 4:21 mark, 33-25. Akron used a 12-3 run to take over the scoreboard sparked by freshman Tavari Johnson 3-pointer. Castaneda added five points with an old-fashioned 3-point play and a pair of free throws, while sophomore Garvin Clarke and Hunter scored in the paint. With 4:21 remaining in the half, LSU answered with an 8-2 run to close out the half, but Akron still held onto the lead at the break, 35-33. Castaneda notched 15 first-half points to lead the Zips while grabbing five rebounds and dishing out four assists.
Adam Miller led the LSU offense with 23 points on 9 of 15 shooting from the field, including a 5 of 9 clip from downtown. KJ Williams added 19 points Justice Hill contributed 14 points to the win.
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