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Virginia Commonwealth 88, Akron 42: Troy Daniels scored 23 points as the fifth-seeded Rams crushed the shorthanded Zips in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in Auburn Hills, Mich.

Juvonte Reddic contributed 21 points and Rob Brandenberg had 14 for Virginia Commonwealth (27-8), which will meet Michigan in Saturday's third round. The Rams forced 22 turnovers while committing only seven.

Akron (26-7), which suspended starting point guard Alex Abreu earlier this month, played without reserves Deji Ibitayo (back) and Pat Forsythe (illness) and got a limited contribution from senior Brian Walsh (illness). Demetrius Treadwell led the way for the 12th-seeded Zips with 15 points, but his teammates combined to shoot 9-for-34.

It took just a few minutes for the Rams to take control as they turned a 14-9 lead into a 30-13 advantage in 4:32. Daniels had five points in an 8-0 run that lasted 1:40 and made it 43-22, and Reddic beat the halftime buzzer with a hoop to establish a commanding 50-25 lead at the break.

The Rams did not let up, securing a 65-32 advantage on Brandenberg's 3-pointer with 15:50 left and leading at one point by 48 as coach Shaka Smart easily recorded his seventh win in nine career tournament games.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Walsh reportedly spent the previous night in the hospital with the flu. He left the court a few minutes into the second half and did not return. Ibitayo's back became an issue at practice Wednesday. ... The margin of victory was the highest in a tournament game between the fifth seed and the 12th seed. ... Akron is 0-4 in the NCAA Tournament.