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Akron loses big lead, rallies for 85-76 victory

Dec 31, 2009 - 4:54 AM LARAMIE, Wyo.(AP) -- Brett McKnight and Anthony Hitchens both scored 16 points as Akron blew a 12-point first-half lead, only to rally in the final minutes to beat Wyoming 85-76 on Wednesday night.

The Zips (10-3) led the entire first half, before the Cowboys closed the gap to 42-37 at halftime. Wyoming (6-7) then scored the first seven points of the second half, all by A.J. Davis, and the two teams traded the lead seven times the rest of the way.

Afam Muojeke led Wyoming with 19 points and Davis added 18.

Wyoming opened up a seven-point lead in the second half, but Akron quickly regained the momentum. With the game tied 69-all, McKnight scored two straight baskets, and Steve McNees hit a wide-open 3-pointer after grabbing a long rebound to put the Zips back up by seven. Akron never relinquished the lead and outscored Wyoming 16-7 in the final four minutes.