The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Binghamton
Brown's career day lifts Women's Basketball past Binghamton, 80-49
November 14 | Women's Basketball
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AKRON, Ohio -- Anita Brown poured in a career-high 29 points to go with 11 rebounds, eight of which came on the offensive glass, to propel Akron past Binghamton, 80-49, in the season opener for both teams Friday evening.
The game was the second of the day in the first ever Akron Classic held at James A. Rhodes Arena. The result was the third-consecutive season-opening victory for UA (1-0).
Brown, who made her first collegiate start, connected on 14-of-22 attempts from the field in her 33 minutes of action without committing a turnover. She was one of two Zips to turn in a double-double on the night, joined by senior Sina King (19 points, 11 rebounds).
Freshman point guard Kerri McMahan posted nine points and four assists in her collegiate debut, while Hannah Plybon had eight, including a pair of 3-pointers.
Akron pounded the ball inside, outscoring Binghamton 52-12 in the paint. The Zips also out-rebounded the Bearcats, 52-32, which helped them earn 22 second-chance points.
BU (0-1) was led by freshman Imani Watkins with 19 points.
The game was close for a majority of the first half, as the Zips methodically chipped away at an early Binghamton lead. The Bearcats held their largest advantage of the game at the 14:04 mark of the opening period after Watkins drained one of her four triples, giving BU the 17-9 lead.
With just over six minutes to play in the first, a pair of Watkins free throws made it 21-20 in Binghamton's favor, before a layup from King gave Akron the lead it would never relinquish.
UA held a slim three-point lead at halftime, 30-27, but ran away with the game in the second half, outscoring the Bearcats 50-22. Brown scored all but six of her points in the second 20 minutes, helping the Zips to shoot 61.1 percent from the floor. Plybon and Brown nailed back-to-back 3-pointers with just under five minutes to play in the game to make it 71-48 and all but seal the victory.
The Zips face a quick turnaround as they return to action on Saturday to take on Northern Kentucky in the final game of the Akron Classic. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at Rhodes Arena.
