The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Providence
Women's Basketball takes down Big East foe Providence, 81-78
November 24 | Women's Basketball
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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Akron put together its most complete team win this season, taking down Providence in dramatic fashion Saturday afternoon, 81-78.
The Zips shot 50 percent from the field as a team, including 45.5 percent from beyond the arc to improve to 4-1 on the year.
Hanna Luburgh turned in a remarkable first half for the second consecutive contest, scoring 18 of her game-high 28 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the field. Sina King recorded her third double-double in five games with 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Rachel Tecca notched her third 20-plus point game, finishing with 23.
Providence (1-4, 0-0) narrowly out-rebounded Akron, 45-41, but 31 of those 45 boards were on the offensive glass, allowing the Friars to pick up 26 second chance points.
Akron never held a lead and trailed by as many as 14 points in the first half. The Zips buckled down and strung together a 12-2 run keyed by a Taylor Ruper 3-point bucket at the 7:17 mark.
The Zips went on to hold the Friars to just two points in the last seven minutes of play in the opening period, fighting back to tie the score at 37 on a Luburgh trey 54 seconds before the halftime buzzer.
UA stopped the Friars in their tracks coming out of the locker room, scoring seven unanswered points to start the second half and take its first lead of the day.
That lead would be tested multiple times throughout the remainder of the game, but the Zips managed to see it through to the end. Akron's largest lead of 10 came with nine minutes to play after a layup from Tecca.
It looked like Akron had the game locked up with 31 seconds remaining, leading by seven on a Tecca three-point play. But Providence answered with five quick points in transition from its full court press to make it a one-possession game.
Akron clung to a two-point lead with five seconds left and Ruper at the line. She split her two shots but it would be just enough as time ran out for Providence.
The Zips continue their east coast road swing traveling to New Jersey this evening in preparation for a matchup at Saint Peter's on Monday, Nov. 26. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at the Yanitelli Center.
