Quincy Diggs scored 11 of his game-high 19 points in the first half and 7-foot center Zeke Marshall was a force inside before fouling out as Akron picked up a quality road win, 68-58 over Mississippi State in the 2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer on Wednesday.

After trailing by as many as five in the first half, Akron (1-0) closed the half on a 16-6 run to take a 37-29 lead, and kept Mississippi State at bay. The Bulldogs (1-1) were never closer than six points after the 11-minute mark of the second half.

The Zips forced 19 turnovers and had an answer every time Mississippi State made a run. Diggs provided many of them by going 8-for-13 from the field. Marshall added 10 points, six rebounds and five blocks.

The Bulldogs, who have averaged more than eight 3-pointers made per game over the past two seasons, were 2 for 13 from 3-point range.

Dee Bost led Mississippi State for the second consecutive game with 13 points. Arnett Moultrie narrowly missed his second double-double in two games with the Bulldogs, and finished with 15 rebounds and eight points.

The win was Akron's 450th as an NCAA Division I program.