BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Joshua Freelove scored a career-high 21 points and Javon McCrea and Jarod Oldham added 20 apiece as Buffalo held off Akron 96-90 on Wednesday.

The Bulls (15-8, 9-4, Mid-American Conference) shot 63.3 percent to move into a tie with the Zips (17-9, 9-4) atop the East Division standings.

McCrea, who moved within 19 points of the school career scoring record, also had 13 rebounds as the Bulls had a 34-24 on the glass and contributed a career-high eight assists.

Demetrius Treadwell had 21 points for Akron with Nyles Evans adding 16 off the bench and Quincy Diggs 14.

The Zips, down 14 at one point, were within 85-82 with 2:20 to play but the Bulls scored seven straight points. Freelove made a layup , Shannon Evans converted a three-point play and Oldham made two free throws. After Diggs drained a 3, Freelove quickly broke free for a dunk.