The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
UCF
Akron improves to 9-0 following 73-64 victory over UCF
December 17 | Women's Basketball
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ORLANDO, Fla. - Akron held Central Florida (4-6) without a field goal for more than eight minutes (8:18) in the second half to stretch a three-point margin into its ninth-consecutive victory as the Zips (9-0) posted a 73-64 women's basketball triumph past the Knights on Wednesday.
"No. 1 we won the game and played a really good Central Florida team on the road and anytime you can win on the road it is a good victory for us," Akron head coach Jodi Kest commented. "They did some things that hurt us – offensive rebounds and turnovers, and we have to get to work and do a better job on Saturday."
Four Zips finished with double-figure scoring efforts led by senior Sina King (Waterford, Ohio) registering her team-leading sixth double-double of the season on the strength of an 18-point, 10-rebound performance.
Joining her in double figures with 15, 13 and 10 points, respectively, was freshman Kerri McMahan (Novi, Mich.), junior Anita Brown (Warren, Ohio) and sophomore Hannah Plybon (Orrville, Ohio). The Knights were paced by a 26-point evening from Zykira Lewis and an 11-point, 21-rebound performance from Brittni Montgomery.
The Zips had to fight down to the wire for the victory as they committed a season-high 23 turnovers that enabled UCF to keep it at a single-digit deficit over the game's final few minutes.
Akron had an opportunity to put the game away at the free-throw line but struggled at the charity stripe over the final three minutes making only six of its 12 attempts.
The Zips connected on 45.8 percent of their shots from the field in the affair, while limiting the Knights to a 32.9 percent shooting mark.
Akron garnered 10-, eight- and six-rebound efforts from King, junior DiAndra Gibson (Ravenna, Ohio) and Brown, but was outrebounded in the affair, 51-46, including 25-11 on the offensive glass.
Distributing a game- and team-high six assists was junior Megan Barilla (Fairview Park, Ohio).
The Knights jumped out to a 10-5 advantage in the contest before the Zips parlayed an 11-0 run to assume a 16-10 lead after a jumper by McMahan at the 12:11 mark.
Back-to-back baskets by UCF cut the deficit to 16-14 before the Zips got baskets from freshman Alli Ball (St. Louis, Mo.), King and Brown to stretch their lead to 22-14.
After exchanging the next three baskets, Akron went on a 5-0 run to assume its largest lead of the half, 29-18, after a free throw by Gibson with 6:42 left in the half.
UCF chipped away at the lead before the Zips entered the intermission holding a 37-30 advantage.
Akron connected on 44.1 percent of its shots in the initial stanza, while limiting the Knights to a 37.5 percent shooting mark. The Zips' Achilles heel in the first half was turnovers as Akron committed 12 in the initial 20 minutes.
The second half began as a back-and-forth affair before the Knights fought back to cut Akron's lead to 52-49 after a jumper by Lewis with 12:31 remaining.
UCF didn't score another field goal over the next 8:18 as the Zips used defensive pressure and a 15-2 run to assume their largest lead of the game (16), 67-51, on a lay-up by King with 6:20 left in the game.
The Knights were able to cut Akron's lead down to five, 69-64, with 1:16 remaining on a three-pointer by Lewis.
UCF though missed its final three shots and committed a turnover as the Zips left the court victorious, 73-64.
Akron returns to action on Saturday, Dec. 20 as the Zips host Ohio Christian at the James A. Rhodes Arena. Game time is slated for 2 p.m. with the contest serving as the team's We Back Pat game. The contest is designed to raise awareness of Alzheimer's disease and educating others on Pat Summitt's dedication to defeating it.
