Final
  for this game

Conyers leads Akron past Valparaiso 77-57

Dec 27, 2009 - 9:45 PM AKRON, Ohio(AP) -- Jimmy Conyers scored a career-high 22 points, the most by an Akron player this season, as the Zips cruised to a 77-57 win over Valparaiso on Sunday.

Akron (9-3) has won five straight and nine of its last 10 games.

Conyers, a senior averaging 9.2 points as a starter in the previous six games while shooting 51.5 percent (17-for-33), was 10-for-13 from the field against the Crusaders (5-8).

Conyers scored 15 in the first half on 7-for-8 shooting, helping Akron to a 36-23 halftime lead.

Valparaiso opened the second half with four straight points, then the Zips pulled away with a 14-0 run to lead 50-27 with 15:19 left.

Akron shot 55.4 percent from the field (31-for-56), outrebounded the Crusaders 33-22 and had 18 assists to Valparaiso's five.

Brett McKnight added 17 points and nine rebounds for the Zips.

Brandon Wood scored 18 points to lead the Crusaders.