Buffalo 81, No. 24 Akron 67: Javon McCrea had 18 of his 26 points in the second half as the Bulls beat a ranked opponent for the first time and snapped the visiting Zips' 19-game win streak.

Jarryn Skeete went 5-of-8 from the floor for 18 points for the Bulls (12-17, 7-7 MAC), who beat Akron for the fourth straight time at home. Will Regan (16) and Tony Watson (13) were also in double figures for Buffalo, which shot 56 percent from the floor.

Zeke Marshall led the Zips (23-5, 13-1) with 17 points, six rebounds and five blocked shots. Demetrius Treadwell and Alex Abreu each scored 14 for Akron, which clings to a one-game lead over Ohio.

Watson had three 3-pointers as the Bulls hit 7-of-14 from the arc in the first half to stay ahead of the Zips. Skeete's 3-pointer and McCrea's layup pushed Buffalo ahead 29-20 but Akron got within 37-32 by halftime.

The Zips rallied to tie the game at 47 with 12:47 left but McCrea scored three straight baskets for 52-46 lead and Skeete's layup with 7:06 left pushed the lead to 60-50. Akron, which shot 40.6 percent, never got closer than seven points the rest of the way.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Marshall became the first Zip and second MAC player with 100 blocks in a season. He needs six blocks to break Patrick Flomo's league record (105 for Ohio in 2000-01). ... Akron's Deji Ibitayo and Buffalo's Auraum Nuiriankh were both ejected with 4:41 left. ... Buffalo had eight blocks, led by McCrea's four.