The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Bethune-Cookman
Akron improves to 8-0 with 81-63 victory over Bethune-Cookman
December 15 | Women's Basketball
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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Led by a 23-point, 11-rebound performance from senior Sina King (Waterford, Ohio), the Akron women's basketball team registered its eighth-consecutive victory to open the 2014-15 campaign with an 81-63 road triumph over Bethune-Cookman (3-7) on Monday, Dec. 15.
The win established a new school-record start (8-0) for the Zips, surpassing the 7-0 mark by the 1974-75 squad.
"I was very pleased with the win, anytime you can win on the road it is a good day," Akron head coach Jodi Kest commented. "We got great bench support from a lot of players, Alex (Ricketts), Hannah (Scipio) and Alli (Ball). Alli started today and I thought she gave us quality minutes, so it was a great team effort."
King led three Akron players scoring in double figures recording her team-leading fifth double-double of the season. Sophomore Hannah Plybon (Orrville, Ohio) and junior Anita Brown (Warren, Ohio) added 17- and 16-point performances for the Zips. Plybon connected on 5-of-9 from the field, including 4-for-7 beyond the arc.
Making her first career start, freshman Alli Ball (St. Louis, Mo.) turned in a three-point, four-rebound outing, while also posting a team-high two blocks.
Akron connected on a season-best 54.5 percent from the field, while limiting the Lady Wildcats to a 34.3 percent shooting night.
Akron dominated the glass outrebounding Bethune-Cookman, 45-33, including 32-16 on the offensive end. The Zips parlayed the rebounds into a 38-22 advantage in points in the paint.
Akron distributed 20 assists, including eight apiece from freshman Kerri McMahan (Novi, Mich.) and Plybon. The eight assists for Plybon established a new career-best mark.
Kayla Crawford led three Bethune-Cookman players scoring in double figures with 17 points.
After the Lady Wildcats scored the game's first two points, the Zips went on an 8-0 run to assume an 8-2 advantage after a jumper by King at the 16:23 mark.
Following a basket by Bethune-Cookman's Terrenisha Hollis, Akron outscored the Lady Wildcats, 18-4, over the next 3:46 to take a 26-8 lead following a three-pointer from Plybon with 11:53 left in the half.
The Zips extended their lead to as many as 18 points in the initial stanza before entering the intermission holding a 43-32 lead.
Akron registered a 53.1 percent shooting mark in the first half, while limiting Bethune-Cookman to 34.2 percent shooting.
The Zips began the second half on an 8-2 run and never looked back en route to claiming the victory.
Akron returns to action visiting Central Florida in a 4:30 p.m. tilt on Wednesday, Dec. 17.
