The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
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Northern Illinois
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Akron Takes Down Northern Illinois 75-68 in Overtime
February 14 | Women's Basketball
BOXSCORE (PDF)
DEKALB, Ill. - Sophomore Ni'Rah Clark (Toledo, Ohio) put the University of Akron women's basketball team ahead for good with 2:43 to go in overtime to give the Zips a 75-68 win over Northern Illinois on Saturday (Feb. 14).
The Zips had three players score in double figures, led by Clark, who had 21 points. Senior Natalie Johnson (Waldorf, Md.) tacked on an Akron career-best 18 points to go along with two steals off the bench, while freshman Monique Mitchell (South Bend, Ind.) chipped in as well with 10 points and two steals. Freshman Corinne Reed (Chicago, Ill.) added a nine-point and seven-rebound effort for the Zips.
Junior Keiryn McGuff (Dublin, Ohio) pulled down four offensive rebounds to lead an offense that racked up second-chance opportunities for Akron, grabbing 11 boards and turning them into 16 second chance points.
Akron's defense held Northern Illinois to only 39.3 percent shooting from the field. The Huskies did not have much luck cleaning up their misses on the offensive glass either, as they finished with seven offensive rebounds and managed seven second-chance points while Akron cleared 28 defensive rebounds.
How It Happened
After falling behind 15-13, Akron went on a 6-0 run with 2:20 left in the first quarter to take a 19-15 lead. The Zips entered the quarter break with a 20-17 advantage. Akron relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down four shots to account for 12 of its 20 points.
Akron kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 10-0 run starting at the 3:44 mark in the second period, highlighted by a three from Johnson, to increase its lead to 39-27. The Huskies cut into that lead, but the Zips still enjoyed a 39-31 advantage heading into halftime. Akron was strong from deep in the period, knocking down three three-point shots to account for nine of its 19 points.
Tied at 48-48, Akron went on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Johnson, to grab a 53-48 lead with 3:27 to go in the third. Northern Illinois responded to seize a 56-55 lead entering the fourth quarter. Akron played well near the basket, scoring eight of its 16 points in the paint.
Northern Illinois constructed a 58-56 advantage before Akron went on a 6-0 run, finished off by sophomore Izzy Callaway's (Copley, Ohio) three, to seize a 62-58 lead with 4:19 to go in the fourth. The Huskies then fought back to even things up at 64-64 and send the game to overtime. Akron got a boost from its bench in the period, with non-starters scoring six of its nine total points.
Northern Illinois snagged a 66-64 advantage with 3:30 left in the first overtime before Akron responded by going on a 7-0 run, finished off by Johnson's jumper, to seize a 71-66 lead with 38 seconds to go in the period. The Zips kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 75-68 win.
Game Notes
» The Zips rallied from a one-point 56-55 third-quarter deficit to force the game into overtime.
» Akron lit it up from three point land, knocking down nine treys in the game.
» The Zips held the Huskies to only 39.3 percent shooting from the field.
» The Akron bench came alive by adding 27 points to its scoring output.
» Akron had a 39-37 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Akron defense forced 14 turnovers.
» Akron cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 11 offensive boards in the game.
» Clark led the Zips with 21 points.
» Akron got a team-high eight rebounds from McGuff.
Up Next
Akron hosts Ohio in a 6 p.m. tilt on Wednesday (Feb. 18) at James A. Rhodes Arena.
