The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
10-20,4-13MAC
Eastern Michigan
2-26,1-16MAC
Brown's Double-Double Sparks Akron to 70-53 Victory Over Eastern Michigan
March 05 | Women's Basketball
BOXSCORE (PDF) | PHOTO GALLERY | POSTGAME COMMENTS
AKRON, Ohio - Redshirt senior Shelbee Brown (Memphis, Tenn.) secured a double-double with 27 points and a career-best 19 rebounds to help the Akron women's basketball team take down Eastern Michigan, 70-53, at James A. Rhodes Arena on Wednesday (March 5).
In addition to Brown's solid performance, the Zips were led by senior Zakia Rasheed (Avon, Ind.), who had 15 points, and by senior Alexus Mobley (Indianapolis, Ind.), who added eight points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Brown pulled down eight offensive rebounds to pace an offense that racked up second-chance opportunities for Akron, grabbing 19 boards and turning them into 22 second-chance points.
The Akron defense held Eastern Michigan shooters to only 33.9 percent from the field, including 21.9 percent from three-point range. The Zips also kept Olivia Smith to 6-of-20 shooting in the game.
How It Happened
After falling behind 8-6, Akron went on a 7-0 run with 5:01 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Rasheed, to take a 13-8 lead. The Zips entered the quarter break with a 15-13 advantage. Akron did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 12 of its 15 points close to the basket.
Eastern Michigan rallied to take a 29-26 lead before Akron went on a 6-0 run starting at the 1:55 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Brown, to take a 32-29 lead, a score that held until halftime. Akron dominated in the paint, scoring 10 of its 17 points close to the basket.
Akron wasted no time building on its lead, going on a 9-0 run to expand its lead further to 41-29 with 7:07 to go in the third. Before the third period was over, the Zips added three points to that margin and entered the fourth quarter with a 55-40 edge. Akron played well near the basket, scoring 12 of its 23 points in the paint.
Akron kept its lead intact before going on a 9-0 run, finished off by Brown's layup, to grow the lead to 68-46 with 2:53 to go in the contest. The Eagles narrowed the margin, but the Zips still cruised the rest of the way for the 70-53 win. Akron took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring eight of its 15 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» Akron honored senior Emily Hall (Phoenix, N.Y.), Ellen Kinnaird (Lewis Center, Ohio), Mobley and Rasheed in post-game Senior Night ceremonies.
» Brown notched an impressive double-double for the Zips with 27 points and 19 rebounds.
» The Zips held the Eagles to only 33.9 percent shooting from the field.
» Akron never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
» Brown and Rasheed carried the load for the Zips, accounting for 60 percent their points.
» Akron had a 50-28 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Akron defense forced 14 turnovers.
» Akron cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 19 offensive boards in the game.
» Brown led the Zips with a game-high 27 points.
» Akron got a game-high 19 rebounds from Brown.
Up Next
Akron closes the campaign with a 1 p.m. tilt at Central Michigan on Saturday (March 8).
