The University of Akron Athletics
Zips Fall 68-51 at Eastern Michigan
February 04 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 4, 2006
Box Score
YPSILANTI, Mich. -- - A 20-1 early in the first half by Eastern Michigan proved to be too much for the Zips to overcome in a 68-51 loss to the Eagles Saturday night at the Convocation Center in Mid-American Conference cross-division action.
With the loss, Akron falls to 3-17 overall and 0-9 in MAC play. The West Division-leading Eagles improve to 14-6, 8-1 MAC.
Jessica Deville (Leetonia, Ohio/Leetonia) netted a season-high 16 points, with 10 of those coming in the second half of play. Jessie Crooks (Independence, Ohio/Independence) led the Zips with 18 points, her ninth-straight game scoring in double digits.
EMU's Ryan Coleman was held to 14 points, but Nikki Knapp finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds, along with 10 first-half points from Sarah VanMetre.
Akron shot just 38 percent for the game (17-45), including a paltry 3-of-13 from three-point range. Eastern Michigan outrebounded the Zips by a healthy 40-24 margin.
The Zips opened the second half much the same way they did the first, connecting on just one field goal in the first seven minutes as EMU built its lead back up to 19, 47-28.
With Eastern Michigan not its sharpest offensively, Akron was unable to take advantage of its opportunities to climb its way back into the game, getting no closer that 14 points in the second half. A six-point spurt by the Zips made it 56-42 in favor of EMU with 3:58 left to play.
Crooks opened the game with five quick points to put the Zips up 5-2, but the Eagles responded with a 20-1 run to take a commanding 22-6 lead at 11:34.
Deville put an end to the scoring drought with a mid-range
jumper at 9:08, accounting for Akron's first points in more than an
eight-minute span. EMU pushed its lead 19 at 29-10 as the Eagles
had three players with six or more points in the first 13 minutes
of action.
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Crooks led all scorers with 14 points in the first half, including a pair of three-point baskets. She sank two free throws to close out scoring in the first half, cutting the Zips' deficit to 12 at 35-23 at the break. Crooks and Deville (six) accounted for 20 of Akron's 23 first-half points.
Akron is back in action on Wednesday as it travels to Toledo to take on the Rockets. Game time is 7 p.m. at Savage Hall.
