Adversity, VCU overtake Akron Zips - 19 Action News|Cleveland, OH|News, Weather, Sports

Auburn Hills, MI (WOIO) - The Akron Zips were already battling long odds, with star point guard Alex Abreu suspended indefinitely, but Thursday, before they even took the court in the NCAA Tournament, the Zips were hit hard again. Key players Brian Walsh and Pat Forsythe both battled the flu, and Deji Ibitayo was ruled out of the game against Virginia Commonwealth with back spasms. The VCU Rams took advantage, pulling away by halftime, and cruising to an 88-42 win.

It was a painful ending for the feel-good Zips, a team that rattled off college basketball's best streak this season (19 games), and rallied without Abreu to win the MAC Tournament, but all of the adversity finally caught up with them.

VCU's Troy Daniels led all scorers with 23 points, while fellow Ram Juvonte Reddic added 21.

Demetrius Treadwell led the Zips (26-7) with 15 points.

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