Akron started the game focused and in control. The Zips had excellent ball movement and had drained four 3s by the under 12 media timeout. Defensively, the Zips were clogging lanes and forcing the Broncos outside, where they're not nearly as comfortable. The result was a seven point Akron lead midway through the half.
It only got worse from there for the Broncos who managed just six points in the final 11:13 of the half.
Akron meanwhile was balling out. The Zips were hitting shots from all over. Demetrius treadwell was penetrating well, and Deji Ibitayo led an aerial assault that saw the Zips drain almost as many 3s as Broncos' field goals. Shayne Whittington, Connar Tava and David Brown were the only Broncos to score in the first half.
Akron was clearly out hustling the Broncos in the first half, and it paid off huge. The Zips out-rebounded WMU 21-13. In the end Akron took a 17-point lead (34-17) into the half.