The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Canisius
Women's Basketball picks up first road victory at Canisius, 72-56
November 22 | Women's Basketball
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BUFFALO, N.Y. – Akron's one-two punch of Hanna Luburgh and Rachel Tecca caught fire in the second half to lead the Zips past Canisius, 72-56, Friday night on the road.
Akron out-scored Canisius 45-26 and shot 62.5 percent from the field in the second period to make up for a three-point deficit at halftime.
UA improved to 3-2 on the year with its first victory away from home this season. The result was also head coach Jodi Kest's 100th win at the helm of Akron.
Tecca led all scorers with 24 points and seven rebounds, followed closely by Luburgh with 23 points and 11 rebounds for her third double-double. Carly Young added 10 points and six rebounds for the Zips.
As a team, Akron handily won the battle of the boards, 48-33, including 17 on the offensive glass that led to 17 second-chance points.
Canisius was led by Jamie Ruttle's 19 points.
The Zips picked up the first bucket of the game on a Tecca lay-in, but would struggle offensively for the majority of the first half.
Canisius pounded the ball inside to Ruttle, who posted 10 first half points, and Akron did not find its rhythm in transition until inside the 8:00 minute mark when Luburgh delivered the first of two-straight fastbreak layups.
With 4:30 remaining in the opening period, Tecca came up with a steal and Kacie Cassell pushed the ball up the floor to Luburgh who converted a 3-point play to give Akron its first lead since 2-0 with the score at 20-18.
The two teams fought through three tie scores until Canisius' Tiahana Mills banked in a contested 3-pointer from the far sideline as the horn sounded to end the first half, giving the Griffs a 30-27 halftime lead.
Canisius maintained the advantage for the first several minutes of the second half before a Luburgh triple knotted the score at 40-all at the 14:52 mark. Tecca drained a 3-pointer of her own less than a minute later to give the Zips a one-point lead that they would never relinquish.
Young tipped in a missed free throw with 8:02 on the clock, giving Akron a 10-point lead going into a media timeout. The Zips continued to separate themselves from the Griffins over the final minutes, as Cassell hit three of her last four free throws to seal the 16-point victory.
The Zips return to action next weekend when they travel to San Luis Obispo, Calif. for the Cal Poly Holiday Beach Classic. Akron will take on tournament host Cal Poly on Friday, Nov. 29 at 10 p.m. ET, followed by a matchup with UC Davis on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 8 p.m. ET.
