The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Miami (Ohio)
Tecca dominates as Women's Basketball defeats Miami, 84-77
February 09 | Women's Basketball
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OXFORD, Ohio -- The University of Akron women's basketball team captured its fourth-straight win and claimed sole possession of first place in the Mid-American Conference East Division Saturday afternoon, defeating Miami (Ohio) on the road, 84-77.
UA (16-7, 7-3 MAC) was firing on all cylinders offensively, as Kacie Cassell recorded 10 assists for the third consecutive game to ensure the other four starters scored in double figures.
Rachel Tecca had what was arguably her most complete game all season, shooting 61 percent from the field for a double-double of 29 points and 11 rebounds in a remarkable 26 minutes of action.
Hanna Luburgh was not far behind, posting 21 points, including three 3-pointers and a perfect 8-for-8 showing from the free throw line.
After being held to just four points in the first half, Sina King finished the day with 17. Taylor Ruper added 13 points on three triples of her own, all coming in the first period.
As a team, the Zips shot an impressive 91.3 percent from the free throw line, finding the mark on 21 of their 23 attempts, which helped them to preserve their lead down the stretch.
Akron got off to a slow start as Miami (14-9, 6-4 MAC) scored three easy baskets in the first two minutes to go up 6-0. Two free throws from Tecca at the 13:13 mark tied the score at 12, but the Zips would not find their first lead of the game until over six minutes later.
Luburgh gave Akron a brief advantage with a layup at 6:24 before the RedHawks scored seven straight points to go back up by eight. A layup from Tecca on the next possession would get the ball rolling on a 16-3 Akron run that would see the Zips through to halftime, highlighted by back-to-back 3-pointers at the hands of Ruper and Luburgh.
UA maintained its lead for a majority of the second half as Tecca went to work in the post, picking up 19 points and nine boards in the second frame. Miami fought back to tie the score five times, and eventually went ahead by one point with 4:45 left to play.
Tecca converted a put-back off a missed free throw to right the ship as the Zips worked to build a lead big enough to hold onto for the final minutes of the contest. Akron helped itself to a 9-for-9 performance from the charity stripe over the course of the last three minutes to keep the RedHawks at bay.
After only coming up with nine rebounds as a team in the first half, UA out-rebounded Miami 22-14 in the second half, and forced MU into 20 turnovers on the day.
The Zips will have a week to prepare for their next game when they host Ball State on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 5 p.m. The weekend is Alumni Weekend for Akron Basketball, and the contest will be the first in a women's/men's doubleheader at Rhodes Arena.
