Rockets fall to Akron on road

AKRON -- Toledo's Rian Pearson scored a career-high 29 points and grabbed 12 rebounds but his stellar performance wasn't enough to overcome Akron's hot shooting in a 86-72 win in Rhodes Arena on Wednesday as the Zips continued to take a hold of the Mid-American Conference East Division.

Pearson's double-double was his sixth of the season. The Rockets' leading scorer at 16.4 per game also grabbed a game-high four steals, and finished one rebound shy of his personal best in 36 minutes of action.

Julius Brown also was in double figures for the Rockets with 12 points and a team-high five assists.

UT (10-12, 2-6) shot 87.5 percent from the free-throw line (14-of-16) and leads the conference with a 73.6 mark.

Toledo held its own against a taller Zip squad inside, outscoring Akron 46-42 in the paint, and being outrebounded by a 31-28 margin.

Akron (15-7, 7-1) shot 60 percent in the contest and saw five players score in double figures led by Quincy Diggs' 16 points.

Zeke Marshall registered a double- with 10 points and 10 rebounds while blocking five shots.

The Zips led by as many as 14 points in the first half with their largest lead a 31-17 advantage 7:24 before halftime.