Preview: Akron Looks to Extend Win Streak at Ohio on Friday ATHENS, Ohio (Interstat) — The surging Akron Zips will put their four-game win streak on the line Friday night when they visit the Ohio Bobcats in a Mid-American Conference men’s basketball clash at the Convocation Center. Akron (13-4, 4-1 MAC) enters as one of the conference’s hottest teams, having won eight of its last nine. The Zips are coming off an 82-63 road rout of Buffalo on Tuesday, where Amani Lyles scored 18 points and Eric Mahaffey added 10. The Zips are led by dynamic guard Tavari Johnson, who has scored 22 or more points in four of his last six games. Over that stretch, he is averaging 18.5 points and 6.5 assists per contest, including a 22-point, 10-assist double-double in a win over Central Michigan on Jan. 6. Ohio (10-9, 3-3) has been inconsistent in league play but is coming off a hard-fought 80-77 home victory over Northern Illinois. The Bobcats have relied heavily on guard Jackson Paveletzke, who has been on a scoring tear. Paveletzke has topped 20 points in four of his last five games, including a 23-point effort against NIU. He nearly posted a triple-double with 23 points, seven rebounds and nine assists in a Dec. 30 win at Central Michigan. The matchup features a stark contrast in recent trajectories. Akron’s only loss since late December was a narrow 76-73 defeat at Miami (Ohio) on Jan. 3. Ohio has alternated wins and losses over its last six games, struggling to find sustained momentum. Defense will be a key factor. Akron has held its last four opponents to 77 points or fewer. Ohio’s conference games have been higher-scoring affairs, with the Bobcats allowing an average of 84 points in their three MAC losses. Friday’s game tips off a critical stretch for both teams as they reach the midpoint of the conference schedule. Akron will look to solidify its position atop the MAC standings, while Ohio aims to climb back to .500 in league play and secure a pivotal home-court victory.