The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
5-18,2-8MAC
Louisiana
3-21,1-12Sun Belt
Three Akron Players Score Double Digits, Zips Fall in SBC Challenge
February 07 | Women's Basketball
AKRON, OH --The Akron offense put on a ball-movement clinic at home Saturday, recording 13 assists on 21 made shots, but the Zips fell to the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns 82-71Â in the MAC-SBCÂ Challenge at James A. Rhodes Arena on Saturday afternoon.
The Zips (5-18) had three players score in double figures, led by sophomore Ni'Rah Clark (Toledo, Ohio) with 19 points and seven rebounds. Clark connected on 6 of 10 shooting from the floor and buried 7 of 8 free throws. Freshman Shaena Brew (Rialto, Calif.) followed with 17 points on 5 of 8 shooting from the floor and a perfect 1 of 1 from downtown and 6 of 6 from the charity stripe. Brew also registered seven of the Zips 13 assists and grabbed three rebounds. Junior Keiryn McGuff (Dublin, Ohio) rounded out the double-digit scoring with 14 points while adding a team-high eight rebounds.
Clark registered six offensive rebounds as Akron secured 12 offensive boards that led to eight second chance points. The Zips also recorded 28 paint points and 12 points off the bench.
The Akron defense was a problem in Saturday's game, forcing 17 Louisiana turnovers, while turning those  takeaways into 17 points on the other end of the floor. Freshman Corinne Reed (Chicago, Ill.) led the way individually for the Zips with three steals and three playes followed with one steal each.
How It Happened
Akron struggled out of the gate, falling behind 27-16 at the end of the first quarter.
Louisiana kept adding to that lead, building a 38-25 advantage before Akron went on a 7-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from McGuff, to narrow its deficit to 38-32. Louisiana responded and expanded its lead, leaving the Zips trailing 40-32 heading into halftime.
Akron's deficit continued to grow after halftime, and the Zips faced a 60-49 disadvantage heading to the fourth quarter. Akron took advantage of five Louisiana turnovers in the quarter, scoring five points off of takeaways.
Akron kept the Ragin' Cajuns from increasing their lead before going on a 5-0 run to shrink the deficit to 65-59 with 5:52 to go in the contest. Louisiana responded and outscored the Zips the rest of the way, ending the game with a final score of 82-71. Akron took advantage of six Louisiana turnovers in the quarter, scoring seven points off of those takeaways.
Game Notes
» The Zips shared the ball well, recording an assist on 62 percent of made baskets.
» The Akron defense forced 17 turnovers.
» Akron cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 12 offensive boards in the game.
» Ni'Rah Clark led the Zips with 19 points.
» Akron got a team-high eight rebounds from Keiryn McGuff.
Up Next
Akron travels to Central Michigan for a 6:30 p.m. tilt on Wednesday (Feb. 11).
