The University of Akron Athletics
Women's Basketball Faces Central Michigan
February 06 | Women's Basketball
Game 22
Akron (8-13, 1-8 MAC) at Central Michigan (9-13, 1-8
MAC)
February 7, 2007 • 7:00 p.m. (EST)
Rose Arena- Mt. Pleasant. Mich.
Television: None
Radio: www.GoZips.com. Bill Morgan has the
call.
Records: Akron is 8-13 on the season, picking
up its first MAC victory of the season, 69-53 over Eastern Michigan
on Saturday. After winning its MAC opener, Central Michigan has
dropped eight straight, most recently falling 69-65 at Ohio on
Saturday.
Coaches:
Jodi Kest is in her first
season at Akron with a career record of 235-166. She picked up her
first win at Akron on Nov. 18 vs. Binghamton, and her first MAC win
on Feb. 3 vs. Eastern Michigan. Eileen Kleinfelter is in her sixth
season at CMU with a record of 61-101.
Series: Akron leads, 12-11
Akron Travels to Central Michigan...
The Zips play the first of their final two West Division games on
Wednesday as they travel to Central Michigan. Both teams enter the
game with a record of 1-8 in Mid-American Conference play.
About Akron...
The Zips gave head coach
Jodi Kest her first
Mid-American Conference win at the helm of the program with a 69-53
win over Eastern Michigan on Saturday night.
Akron put in a solid effort from start to finish as the two teams
were knotted at 31 at halftime. The Zips came out of the break on
fire, rattling off a 16-6 run to take a lead they would never
relinquish.
Sophomore
Niki McCoy had a carer
effort for the FOX Sports Net Ohio telecast, finishing with a
career-high 27 points. She also had 10 rebounds for her fifth
double-double of the season.
McCoy was just one of four Akron player to finish the night
scoring in double figures. Freshmen
Sarah Tokodi and
Riana Miller had 14 points
each, and sophomore
Lauren Stephenson showed
once again she is not just a defensive specialist with 12 points
and seven rebounds.
The Zips did a much better job of taking care of the ball, turning
it over just 13 times and allowing just six EMU points off those
turnovers. Akron, meanwhile, converted 14 Eagles turnovers into 16
points.
Akron currently ranks 11th in the league in scoring offense (59.3
ppg) and are 12th in field goal percentage (.396). Defensively the
Zips continue to keep pace with the rest of the MAC, ranking fourth
in scoring defense (64.4 ppg allowed) and third in field goal
percentage defense (.394).
For the year the Zips are averaging 35.6 rebounds per game. They
have recorded 239 assists for an average of 11.4 per game.
Individually, sophomore
Niki McCoy is 7th in the
MAC in scoring (15.7 ppg) and 12th in rebounding (6.7 rpg).
Freshman
Riana Miller is fifth in
the league in blocked shots with an average of 1.19 per game.
Freshman
Sarah Tokodi ranks in the
top 10 in assists (10th-3.90 per game) and is 15th in scoring at
12.6 ppg.
About Central Michigan...
The Chippewas find themselves is the same spot as the Zips with a
1-8 MAC record. After opening league play with a 91-78 win over
Western Michigan, CMU has dropped eight straight, including a 69-65
loss at Ohio on Saturday.
Ann Skufca has been the go-to player for Central Michigan, started
all 22 games and averaging a team-best 11.7 points per game.
Sharonda Hurd is contributing 10.6 points per game, along with a
team-high 6.5 rebounds per game.
The Chippewas scoring is pretty evenly distributed with five
players averaging 7.0 ppg or better. As a team they rank eighth in
the league in scoring offense (68.4 ppg) and 10th in scoring
defense (69.5). The Chips are one of the better free throw shooting
teams in the MAC with a .736 average (326-443).
Head coach Elieen Kleinfelter is in her sixth season at CMU with a
record of 61-101. She is assisted by Brent Brown, Barry Schrock and
Crystal Wiley.
Series Business...
- This is the 24th meeting between the two schools with Akron
holding a 12-11 advantage.
- The Chippewas won last year's meeting by a 60-44 score in
Akron.
- Akron's last win in the series came on Feb. 6, 2001, a 75-58 win
in Mt. Pleasant.
- The Zips have dropped five straight to the Chippewas, including
overtime contests in 2005 (78-77) and 2004 (70-65).
Last Time Out...
Sophomore
Niki McCoy (Sylvania,
Ohio/Northview) contributed a career-high 27 points along with 10
rebounds and the Zips used a combination of solid offense and a
stingy defense for a 69-53 win over Eastern Michigan Saturday night
at Rhodes Arena.
The victory, Akron's first Mid-American Conference win of the
season, puts the Zips at 8-13 overall, 1-8 MAC. Eastern Michigan
drops to 11-9, 6-3 MAC. The game marked Akron's first league
victory since Feb. 21, 2006 at Miami. It was the first win over the
Eagles since the 1999-2000 season.
"I can't tell you how proud I am of this team," said head coach
Jodi Kest. "We came in
knowing that we were facing a great team in Eastern Michigan and
played hard for 40 minutes. We talked before the game about getting
back on transitions and shoring up our defense and we did exactly
that today.
"The intensity for 40 minutes was there tonight. Hopefully this
will give them a lot of confidence as we head into the second half
of league play."
In addition to McCoy, the Zips had three other players finish in
double figures.
Riana Miller (Sylvania,
Ohio/Northview) had 14 points, while freshman
Sarah Tokodi (Marietta,
Ohio/Parkersburg[W.Va.] Catholic) finished with 14 points and
Lauren Stephenson
(Reynoldsburg, Ohio/Pickerington) tallied 12 points and seven
rebounds.
It was 58-45 Akron at 7:15 as McCoy converted a pair of free
throws. Akron's defense held the Eagles off the scoreboard for the
next four minutes and Miller added a pair of freebies along with a
layup from Stephenson to stretch the lead to 17 with 3:23 to
play.
Eastern Michigan finally broke it scored drought with two free
throws at 2:20, but by then the Zips were comfortably in control of
the game.
The Zips stormed out to a 44-37 lead to open the second half,
capped off by five-straight points from McCoy. Building upon its
quick start, Akron continue to pull away, taking a 52-42 lead with
10:04 remaining in the game. A steal and a layup from McCoy gave
her 24 points on the night and a 54-52 advantage. McCoy was 9-of-15
from the field over the first 29 minutes of action, as well as a
perfect 5-for-5 from the free throw line.
In the first half, McCoy's put-back at 14:40 gave the Zips a 10-8
advantage, with eight of the Zips' points coming off shots from
McCoy. After going down 18-15, Tokodi converted a three-point play
to tie things at 18 with 9:26 to play.
Akron went back into the lead at 27-26 with a lay in from
Stephenson. Trailing 31-29, Akron had the last shot of the half and
Tokodi converted a layup as time expired to tie things at 31. The
Zips handled the ball well in the opening period, turning it over
just five times. McCoy led Akron with 11 first-half points, while
Sarah VanMetre matched that number to lead the Eagles. VanMetre
finished with a team-high 20 points.
Sophomore
Rachel Green (Canal Fulton,
Ohio/Northwest) made her first career start, subbing for senior
Jessie Crooks
(Independence, Ohio/Independence) who was out due to illness.
Career Night...
Sophomore
Niki McCoy put on a show
for a national TV audience, scoring a career-high 27 points in the
Zips win over Eastern Michigan on Feb 3. The game was broadcast as
part of the MAC Game of the Week package. In 38 minutes of action,
McCoy was 9-of-17 from the field and recorded her fifth
double-double of the season with 10 rebounds.
McCoy is MAC East Player of the Week...
Niki McCoy was named the
Mid-American Conference East Division Player of the Week, the
league office announced Monday, Feb. 5. It is the second player of
the week honor for McCoy this season.
The Zips picked up their first MAC win of the season last Saturday
with a 69-53 triumph over Eastern Michigan at Rhodes Arena. McCoy
led the way for Akron, finishing with a career-high 27 points and
10 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season.
McCoy had 11 points in the first half as the two teams entered the
break tied at 31, adding another 16 in the second half as the Zips
opened with a 16-6 run. She finished the game 9-of-17 from the
field (53 percent) and 8-of-9 from the charity stripe (.888). Her
10 rebounds was also a team high, going along with a blocked shot
and a steal in 38 minutes of action. On the season McCoy is the
team's leading scorer at 15.7 ppg, as well as its top rebounder at
6.7 per game.
All-Around Effort...
Akron played arguably its most complete game of the year in a
69-53 win over Eastern Michigan on Feb. 3. The Zips shot 46 percent
(26-56) from the field and held the Eagles to just 35 percent
(21-60). Akron also won the rebounding battle, 38-32, and turned
the ball over just 13 times, well below its average of 19.2 per
game. The victory marked
Jodi Kest's first
Mid-American Conference win at Akron.
Offense and Defense?...
Known as the Zips' top defensive player, sophomore
Lauren Stephenson has been
showing off her offensive abilities as of late. Over the last two
games she has averaged 11.5 points per game, tying her career mark
with 12 points in the win over Eastern Michigan on Feb. 3. An
accurate shooter, she was 10-of-16 (.625) from the field in those
two games.
No Thanks...
Freshman
Riana Miller wasn't about
to let Ball State score over her in the first half on Jan. 23,
posting a career-high five blocked shots in the first 20 minutes.
For the season Miller has 25 blocks, ranking fifth in the MAC with
an average of 1.19 per game.
Seeing Double...
Sophomore forward
Niki McCoy recorded her
fourth double-double of the year (seventh career) with 22 points
and 11 rebounds vs. Ball State on Jan. 23.
On the Assist...
Freshman
Sarah Tokodi had a career
afternoon handing off the ball on Jan. 20 at Northern Illinois
where she finished with eight assists. For the season, Tokodi had
dished off the ball a team-high 82 times, an average of 3.9 per
game.
Career Best...
Sophomore
Lauren Stephenson also set
a new career mark on Jan. 20 at Northern Illinois with eight
rebounds.
Passing the Boards...
Senior
Mandy Holzer tied her
career high with 10 rebounds vs. Ohio on Jan. 16. The Zips finished
the game with a 37-33 rebounding advantage. Holzer just narrowly
missed her first career double-double, finishing with seven
points.
What Happened?...
After five-straight games of nearly-perfect free throw shooting,
the Zips hit a stumbling block vs. Ball State on Jan. 23. In the
three games prior to the contest with the Cardinals, the Zips had
converted 56 of 65 attempts (86 percent). In the game vs. Ball
State, Akron hit just 13 of 20 attempts (65 percent). The only UA
player to hit all her attempts was
Riana Miller who was a
perfect 4-for-4.
Welcome Back, Crooks...
Coming off one of her worst performances in a blue and gold
uniform at Miami on Jan. 10 where she was 0-for-7 from the field
and finished with 0 points, senior forward
Jessie Crooks bounced back
three days later with a career afternoon. At Buffalo on Jan. 13,
Crooks had a career-high 26 points, going 8-of-15 from the field
and 4-for-4 from the free throw line. From the three-point arc,
Crooks connected on 6 of 9 attempts. She also led the team with
seven rebounds.
She had her second-straight double-digit effort with 14 points vs.
Ohio on Jan. 16.
Hang On...
If looking for a reason for the Zips' 0-8 start in Mid-American
Conference play, one has to look no further than the turnover
column. In its first eight MAC games, the Zips gave away the ball
184 times, an average of 23.0 times per game. The 24 turnovers at
Buffalo on Jan. 13 resulted in 24 points. In contrast, Akron turned
16 Bulls miscues into just nine points. The Zips' season high of 29
turnovers came vs. Ball State (Jan. 23), resulting in 25 points for
the Cardinals. Against Ohio on Jan. 16, Akron gave up the ball 22
times which turned into 25 points for the Bobcats. The Zips cut
their turnover number to 17 at Northern Illinois on Jan. 20, but
those 17 miscues still resulted in 24 points for the Huskies.
Make It Four...
This is the fourth-straight season that Akron opened Mid-American
Conference play with four losses. In 2005-06, Akron did not pick up
its first MAC win until game 10 (at Toledo). In 2004-05, the first
win came in game five (vs. Buffalo). In 2003-04, it came in the
ninth MAC game of the season (vs. Northern Illinois). The Zips
matched that mark this season with their first conference victory
coming in game nine vs. Eastern Michigan (Feb. 3).
Solid Half...
After seeing her seven-game streak of a spot in the starting
lineup come to an end at Miami on Jan. 10, freshman
Riana Miller responded with
her best half of play to date, scoring 14 points on 7-of-9 shooting
from the field. Miller finished 7-of-11 on the night and was just
two points shy of tying her career high. She also added six
rebounds.
One-Woman Show...
University of Akron freshman
Sarah Tokodi took matters
into her own hands vs. Kent State on Jan. 6, matching her career
high with 26 points in the 79-47 loss. Tokodi was responsible for
Akron's first 14 points, with no other UA player getting on the
scoreboard until
Niki McCoy's free throw
shot at 8:56. Tokodi was unstoppable in the opening minutes, going
7-for-7 before her first miss with :20 to play.
Tokodi was 9-of-14 (.643) from the field while the rest of the
team went a combined 4-of-37 (.135).
Back on Track...
After a dismal three games at the free throw line where the Zips
had just 34 makes on 60 attempts (.566), their shooting touch
seemed to return at Miami on Jan. 10. Against the RedHawks, Akron
went to the line 25 times, converting 22 (.880).
Niki McCoy took a
season-high 14 free throw shots, making 13.
Sarah Tokodi was 9-of-10.
For the season the Zips are 311-of-435 (.715) and rank sixth in the
league.
Snapped...
Akron's loss to Bowling Green on Jan. 3 snapped a six-game win
streak. It was the program's longest win streak since the 1995-96
season. The Zips are now 3-12 in MAC openers.
Good, Bad or Ugly?...
Depends on your point of view. Akron shot 46 percent (5-11) from
the three-point line in the first half of its 69-42 win over
Niagara on Dec. 29. The ugly part? Akron shot an identical 46
percent (5-11) from the free throw line in the half.
Single Digits...
The combination of Akron's defensive effort and a poor shooting
performance by Duquesne resulted in just nine first-half points for
the Dukes on Dec. 5 as the Zips took a 23-9 lead into the
lockerroom. It was six points more of the NCAA record of three
points allowed, set by Florida State in 2003.
Double Digits...
Akron's 17-point margin of victory in the win over St. Francis was
its largest since an 88-63 win over Bowling Green on Feb. 10, 2001
(+25). That is until the Zips came away with a 27-point win over
Niagara on Dec. 29 (69-42), making it the largest margin of victory
since a 39-point win over Canisius (80-41) on Feb. 20, 1988.
Akron's 16-point win over Eastern Michigan on Feb. 3 was its
largest margin of victory in a MAC game since that Bowling Green
contest in 2001.
Defensive Effort...
Akron's defense played a huge role in its 69-42 win over Niagara
on Dec. 29. Entering the game the Purple Eagles were averaging more
than 65 points per game. The Zips limited them to just 18 points in
the first half on 6-of-28 shooting. The 42 total points was the
second-fewest scored by Niagara on the season (41 vs.
Duquesne).
Fantastic Frosh...
Freshman guard
Sarah Tokodi has made an
immediate impact in her first season at Akron. The converted
shooting guard is playing the point for the Zips, averaging 12.6
points per game, including 24 points at Florida Atlantic on Nov.
17. She had 15 points in her first career start at Saint Louis on
Nov. 10. In Akron's home opener on Nov. 22 vs. Valparaiso, Tokodi
led the team with 19 points, along with four assists.
Against Dayton, Tokodi matched her career best with seven rebounds
in the first half and went on to set a new mark with nine for the
game. She also topped her old assist season high with six against
the Flyers. She matched that mark in the win over Youngstown State
on Dec. 16, while also adding a season best six steals.
That number was again broken with a new season high of eight
assists at Northern Illinois on Jan. 20, where she also added 17
points.
It was her basket with :02 remaining that gave Akron a 61-59 win
at Cleveland State on Dec. 10.
In the 69-42 win over Niagara on Dec. 29 she exploded for 26
points on 11-of-15 shooting. Tokodi had 15 of her 26 points in the
first half where she was 6-of-7 from the field. She also had six
assists while pulling down four rebounds.
She made a statement in the MAC by matching her career mark with
26 points vs. Kent State on Jan. 6. Tokodi was responsible for 17
of Akron's 24 first-half points, including the first 14 of the
game. She finished 9-of-14 from the field. She followed that with a
20-point performance at Miami on Jan. 10.
Tokodi was named to the all-tournament team at the FAU Tip-Off
Classic after averaging 17.0 ppg over the two games.
Leading the MAC...
Freshman guard
Sarah Tokodi currently
ranks first among Mid-American Conference freshmen in scoring at
12.6 ppg. She is 15th overall.
New Highs...
Akron set new season marks for assists (17) in the win over
Niagara on Dec. 29. Against Buffalo on Jan. 13 the Zips set a new
single-game season mark with nine three-point baskets. That ranks
tied for 10th on Akron's all-time single-game list.
And New Lows...
The Zips turned the ball over a season-high 29 times in a 71-49
loss to Ball State on Jan. 23. The Cardinals turned the 29 miscues
into 25 points.
Thanks, Santa...
The month of December was very kind to Akron as the Zips were a
perfect 6-0 during the holiday season.
Glad to See January End...
On the flip side, the Zips were not sad to see the month of
January come to an end as they were 0-8.
And February is Off To A Great Start...
Hoping to replicate the month of December, Akron is a perfect 1-0
in February.
Super Soph...
Sophomore
Niki McCoy has picked up
right where she left off after a MAC All-Freshman team season in
2005-06. McCoy is averaging a team-high 15.7 points per game (7th
in the MAC), including her fourth career double-double with 14
points and 10 rebounds in an 55-44 win over Binghamton (Nov. 18).
With her second double-double of the season vs. Duquesne (Dec. 5),
McCoy tied her career mark with 12 rebounds to go along with 17
points.
Her third double-double of the year and sixth career mark came at
Miami on Jan. 10 when she had 24 points and matched her career high
with 12 rebounds.
She doubled up for the fourth time in 2006-07 vs. Ball State on
Jan. 23 with a team-best 22 points and 11 rebounds.
Her fifth double-double of the year came in Akron's 69-53 win over
Eastern Michigan. Against the Eagles McCoy set a new career mark
with 27 points, along with 10 rebounds.
McCoy was key to Akron's 66-58 win at Youngstown State on Dec. 16,
scoring 16 of her 20 points in the second half, while also
finishing with nine rebounds. She topped that mark one game later
with 21 points in the victory over St. Francis on Dec. 19, 15 of
those coming in the first half.
At Northern Illinois on Jan. 20, McCoy led Akron with 21 points,
19 of which came in the second half in a valiant comeback attempt
by the Zips that just fell short in an 81-70 loss.
McCoy has scored in double figures in 14 of the last 17 games,
including 23 points at Western Michigan on Jan. 27.
She holds the team's top rebounding spot with an average of 6.7
per game, including 10 in the win over Niagara on Dec. 29. She is
also averaging a team-high 35.2 minutes per game.
McCoy Named MAC Player of the Week...
University of Akron sophomore
Niki McCoy was the
Mid-American Conference East Division Women's Basketball Player of
the Week, the league office announced on Dec. 26.
McCoy had a season-high 21 points in the Zips' 71-54 win over St.
Francis on Dec. 19. In the first half of play, McCoy accounted for
15 of Akron's 27 points as the Zips took a 27-22 halftime lead. She
finished the game 8-for-8 from the free throw line and 6-of-15 from
the field while also adding four rebounds, two blocked shots, and
three steals in 39 minutes of play.
Third Time's a Charm...
Akron has given its fans their money's worth this year with three
of its games decided by one point. Akron was finally on the winning
end of one of those games vs. Lehigh on Dec. 3 as they held off a
late Mountain Hawks rally for a 62-61 win. In 21 games this year,
Akron has had 11 games decided by 11 points or fewer and is 4-7 in
those games.
It's Miller Time...
Freshman forward
Riana Miller was a force on
the inside for Akron in the game against Dayton (Nov. 26), posting
three blocks to go along with 10 points. Miller also added three
rebounds and a steal to her tally, all in the span of 18 minutes
played.
Against the physical, athletic Pittsburgh Panthers, Miller gave 22
solid minutes off the bench with 13 points. Miller was 5 of 7 from
the free throw line and also had four rebounds, an assist, a
blocked shot and two steals.
Proving she isn't a one-hit wonder, Miller had 14 points and seven
rebounds in the win over Lehigh (Dec. 3). Coming in off the bench,
Miller was 5-of-9 from the field and a perfect 4-for-4 at the
charity stripe. She also added one block and leads the team with
15. That performance earned her a start against Duquesne (Dec. 5),
where she finished with eight points and six rebounds.
In the win over Youngstown State, Miller was a season-best 5-of-6
from the field for 10 points. She set a new season high with 16
points in the victory over St. Francis (Dec. 19), going 4-of-6 from
the field and 8-of-11 from the charity stripe.
At Miami on Jan. 10, Miller was unstoppable with 14 points,
hitting on 7-of-9 shot attempts.
Miller currently ranks fifth in the MAC in blocked shots with an
average of 1.19 per game.
They're Free? We'll Take Them...
After struggling at the charity stripe early in the season, Akron
found the right time to regain its shooting touch, going 20-of-22
against Lehigh in a 62-61 win on Dec. 3. Prior to the game vs. the
Mountain Hawks, the Zips were hitting the freebies at a .656
(84-128) clip. That number jumped to .693 (104-150) after the game
vs. the Mountain Hawks.
Akron went to the line a season-high 32 times in the win over St.
Francis (Dec. 19), converting 28 for an 87.5 percent average.
Hang On To The Ball...
The Zips lucked out in the win over Lehigh (Dec. 3), managing to
overcome a 21-turnover performance. Ball handling is an area that
has been emphasized by the coaching staff and it has shown so far
this season. Seven games into last season, the Zips had accumulated
145 turnovers. That number dropped to 117 in the first seven games
of 2006-07, including a season-low of 10 in the win over
Binghamton.
Did You Know?...
- Akron had its first six-game win streak since the 1995-96 season
(Dec. 3-Dec. 29).
- The Zips have surpassed their 2005-06 season win total with eight
victories in 21 games so far this season.
- Akron set new seasons highs for field goal percentage (.522) and
steals (12) at Youngstown State.
- Akron is 2-1 in games tied at the half.
- Akron had a season-high eight blocked shots at Miami on Jan. 10.
They just missed that mark two games later with seven vs. Ohio
(Jan. 16).
-
Niki McCoy has been Akron's
leading scorer in 13 of the last 17 games.
- McCoy has made 50 of her last 56 free throws dating back to the
Miami game on Jan. 10.
- Akron had seven nonconference victories, its most since the
1986-87 season (seven).
- Akron is 2-1 in its last three visits to Cleveland State.
- Akron's win over Duquesne was its first in three meetings.
- Akron did not have a three-point basket in the win over Duquesne
on Dec. 3, snapping a string of 125-straight games with a three.
The last time the Zips did not make a long-range bucket was on Feb.
6, 2002 vs. Central Michigan (0-4).
- The Zips win in game three this year is its earliest victory
since a season-opening 58-51 win at Maryland-Eastern Shore on Nov.
17, 2000.
- Freshman guard
Sarah Tokodi has scored in
double figures in 14 of 21 games this season.
- The Zips' 47 rebounds vs. Duquesne was a season high.
- Akron is 7-5 when winning the rebounding battle.
- The win over Lehigh on Dec. 3 snapped an 11-game home losing
streak.
- Akron has had at least two players score in double figures in 18
of 21 games this year.
-
Niki McCoy has eight career
double doubles; three in her freshman season and five so far this
year.
- Akron has been held under 50 points four times this year after
failing to meet the mark eight times in 2005-06.
- Both of Akron's victories in Mid-American Conference play last
season came on the road (at Toledo, at Miami).
- The win at Toledo on Feb. 8, 2006 snapped a 30-game losing streak
to the Rockets. It was also the first time Akron had beaten the
Rockets on the road since Jan. 31, 1976.
Start to Finish...
There was very little time to rest for sophomores
Lauren Stephenson and
Niki McCoy in the season
opener at Saint Louis on Nov. 10 as both played a team-high 37
minutes. Stephenson was 3 of 6 from the field, along with two
rebounds. McCoy tossed in 14 points but was just 5 of 16 from the
floor and 4 of 7 from the free throw line.
Stephenson played a career-high 40 minutes in the 50-49 loss to
Valparaiso (Nov. 22) and is averaging 32.4 minutes per game. McCoy
is tops in that category with an average of 35.2 minutes per game
on the hardwood.
Sarah Tokodi was also
credited with 40 minutes on the court vs. Dayton (Nov. 26), at
Youngstown State (Dec. 16), and vs. Eastern Michigan and is
averaging 33.9 minutes per game.
Bring It In...
The Zips efforts from behind the three-point line didn't quite
work out as planned at Saint Louis on Nov. 10 as Akron was just 1
of 10 from behind the arc.
Jessie Crooks had the most
attempts but was unsuccessful on all three tries.
Allison Schoff was the lone
player to connect, going 1-for-2. Last year the Zips shot 30
percent (128-422) from long range.
Akron still struggled from the arc in game two at FAU (4-11, 36
percent) but its fortunes changed in a 55-44 win over Binghamton as
it connected on five of eight attempts (.625). The Zips made good
on just one of seven attempts (.143) vs. Valparaiso (Nov. 22) and
were shut out (0-15) in the win over Duquesne (Dec. 5). They
bounced back with five treys in the win at Cleveland State (Dec.
10), including a 3-for-3 performance from Schoff, and also had five
at Youngstown State (Dec. 16). Akron's season-high of nine
three-point baskets came at Buffalo on Jan. 13. The Zips are
75-of-249 (.301) on the season.
Close Calls...
The Zips found themselves on the wrong end of a pair of one-point
losses this year. A 50-49 loss to Valparaiso on Nov. 22 was
followed by a 58-57 loss to Dayton on Nov. 26. Akron has been a
part of several close games with 12 games last season decided by 10
or fewer points. Akron went 4-8 in those games. This year Akron is
3-4 in games decided by 10 or fewer points.
