The University of Akron Athletics
Zips Run Away From Slovenian Squad in Exhibition Win
November 04 | Women's Basketball
AKRON - The University of Akron women's basketball team used a strong team defensive effort and hit 45% of its shots from the field in a convincing 91-64 exhibition victory over WBC Ilirija of Slovenia this afternoon in the James A. Rhodes Arena. Preseason All-Mid-American Conference center Cheryl Bowles paced the Zips with 26 points and 16 rebounds.
"We saw a lot of good things today," said Akron head coach Roxanne Allen. "Everyone contributed towards and good team win. Our goal is to be the best defensive team in the MAC, and we did a good job forcing a number of turnovers today."
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Angela Tylec |
After falling behind 15-13 at the 12:01 mark of the first half, Akron went on a 13-0 run and never looked back. Sophomore guard Angela Tylec, who finished the contest with nine points, came off the bench and keyed the run hitting back-to-back threes and putting Akron up for good. Tylec hit her third trey of the half at the 5:19 mark and led all scorers in the opening frame. Bowles already had 10 boards to go along with eight points at the intermission.
The second half saw Akron improve its shooting, as the Zips looked inside to their all-conference center. Bowles went 7-9 from the field after the break to finish with the game-high 26. Junior forward Sierra Cooper also had a strong shooting performance, converting 3-3 from the floor, 1-1 from three-point land and 7-7 from the charity stripe for 14 points. Senior guard Jamie Krivak counted a pair of threes in her 5-7 afternoon towards 14 points.
Allen continued to run fresh players at Ilirija and it paid off, as the Zips made nine steals, forced 25 turnovers and improved their field goal shooting as the game wore on. Akron also out-rebounded Ilirija 43-35.
"Not everything was good - I'd like to see us with less turnovers," said Allen. "But I'm pleased with the effort we showed. We held them to 63 points, which is their lowest point total against the schools they have played from the MAC so far."
Vojka Klasan led the Slovenian team with 15 points.
The Akron starting lineup featured: seniors Katie Hank and Krivak and junior Hollie Stephenson in the backcourt; sophomore forward Sandy Martin; and Bowles in the middle. Akron concludes its exhibition season on Monday, Nov. 13, when the Zips host OGBM at 7 p.m. in the JAR.
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