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Akron guard Alex Abreu pleads not guilty to drug charges, Zips fall to Kent State

Alex Abreu

In this photo taken Feb. 5, 2013, Akron’s Alex Abreu brings the ball up against the Central Michigan in an NCAA college basketball game in Akron, Ohio. With the nation’s longest winning streak, a dominant center with NBA potential, a fiery coach and LeBron James as a supporter, Akron could become the next mid-major to make a deep run in the NCAA tournament. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

AP

Akron won 19 straight up until Mar. 2. The Zips dropped two of their last three games to close out the regular season.

Friday night, Akron fell 68-64 to Kent State, the first game since Akron point guard Alex Abreu was suspended after being arrested on drug charges Thursday. Abreu was arrested on charges of marijuana trafficking.

The junior point guard was averaging 10.3 points and six assists per game for the MAC leading Zips. Without the 6-foot floor general running the show, Akron had to rely on freshman Carmelo Betancourt who finished with five points, four assists, and a pair of steals.

Abreu was shooting just under 40 percent from three, though, without him on the floor, the Zips shot 22 percent (6-for-27) from behind the arc.

Earlier in the day, Abreu plead not guilty to those charges at Akron Municipal Court, according to the Associated Press. Abreu posted $5,000 bail and was released from Summit County Jail. He gave no comments to reporters waiting for him outside.

Akron is now 24-6 (14-2 MAC) and if the loss to Kent State is any indication of how important Abreu is to the Zips, it appears their special season might be slipping away on the verge of the NCAA tournament.

Terrence is also the lead writer at NEHoopNews.com and can be followed on Twitter: @terrence_payne