The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
9-18,3-11MAC
Ohio
6-19,4-10MAC
Akron Falls 70-62 to Ohio
February 22 | Women's Basketball
BOXSCORE (PDF) | PHOTO GALLERY | POSTGAME COMMENTS
AKRON, Ohio - University of Akron women's basketball freshman Ni'Rah Clark (Toledo, Ohio) registered her first career double-double with a 13-point and 11-rebound effort, while junior Maddie Vejsicky (New Concord, Ohio) led the Zips with 16 points, but Akron fell to Ohio, 70-62, at James A. Rhodes Arena on Saturday (Feb. 22).
Redshirt senior Emily Hall (Phoenix, N.Y.) posted her second consecutive double-figure scoring performance chipping in 11 points. Redshirt senior Shelbee Brown (Memphis, Tenn.) pulled down 10 rebounds to go along with seven points and a season-best five steals.
Led by Clark's six offensive rebounds, Akron did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 17 boards that resulted in 15 second-chance points.
Akron forced 19 Ohio turnovers. The Zips turned those takeaways into 17 points on the other end of the floor. Brown's five steals led the way for Akron.
How It Happened
After playing to a 3-3 tie early in the game, Akron went on a 13-0 run with 7:27 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from senior Zakia Rasheed (Avon, Ind.), to take a 16-3 lead. The Zips entered the quarter break with a 19-11 advantage. Akron relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down five shots to account for 15 of its 19 points.
The Zips made only one field goal in the second quarter and entered halftime trailing 31-30.
Ohio continued to increase its lead after halftime, building a 40-35 advantage before Akron went on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Brown, to tie things up at 40 with 3:49 to go in the third. The Zips could not advance their rally further as the Bobcats took a 45-43 lead into the fourth quarter. Akron knocked down three three-pointers in the quarter to score nine of its 13 total points.
Ohio widened its lead in the fourth, constructing a 61-48 advantage before Akron went on a 5-0 run, finished off by Hall's layup, to shrink the deficit to 61-53 with 1:40 to go in the contest. The Zips were unable to cut further into the deficit by the end of the game, losing 70-62. Akron took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 10 of its 19 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» Clark notched her first career double-double for the Zips with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
» Akron found success from beyond the arc, knocking down a season-high 10 treys in the game.
» The Zips put on a passing clinic, recording an assist on 65 percent of made baskets.
» Akron lost despite a 44-30 rebounding advantage.
» The Akron defense forced 19 turnovers.
» Akron cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 17 offensive boards in the game.
» Vejsicky led the Zips with 16 points.
» Clark grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds to lead Akron and Brown added 10.
Up Next
Akron travels to Kalamazoo, Mich., to battle Western Michigan at 7 p.m. on Wednesday (Feb. 26).
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