The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Miami (Ohio)
Cassell and Luburgh lead Women's Basketball to 88-63 win over Miami (Ohio)
February 26 | Women's Basketball
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AKRON, Ohio -- Kacie Cassell broke Akron's single-game assists record with 13, and Hanna Luburgh shot 76.5 percent from the field to help UA take down Miami (Ohio), 88-63, Wednesday night at James A. Rhodes Arena.
With the win, the Zips have posted the most home victories in a single season (12) in the 40-year history of the program. The victory also extends Akron's longest winning streak in program history to 11 games.
UA improved to 18-8 overall and 12-3 in the Mid-American Conference, tying the program record for the most MAC victories in a single season.
Luburgh led all players in scoring with 28 points, all 2-point field goals, connecting on 13-of-17 attempts from the field. The senior posted 24 of her points in the first half and finished the game with four rebounds, a block and a steal.
Rachel Tecca recorded her ninth double-double of the season with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Tecca went 7-of-8 from the free throw line and also grabbed four steals.
Cassell dropped 10 of her 13 assists in the first half, playing 16 minutes of the first period without committing a turnover. The senior point guard broke her own single-game record of 12 assists, set on March 14, 2013 in the MAC Tournament quarterfinals against Buffalo. Cassell finished the night with seven points and three steals of her own.
Hannah Robertson led Miami (7-19, 3-12 MAC) with 12 points.
Akron won the rebounding battle 48-37, and outscored Miami in the paint by a 48-12 margin. The Zips' defense held the RedHawks to just 15 field goals for the game for a 27.8 percent clip.
Cassell opened the game by dishing out four-straight dimes to help Akron claim an early 10-2 lead by the 15:55 mark.
The RedHawks used the next three minutes to come within four points of the Zips at 15-11 before Luburgh would find the net on two layups in transition, giving Akron control of the game it would never relinquish.
Another Luburgh layup at the 10:40 mark of the first half put the Zips ahead 25-13. Akron was be unable to find the net for the next four minutes, but held Miami to just two field goals in that time.
UA then came back to outscore Miami 21-8 until the final minute of the half. Six different Zips would score during the run. Akron held a 48-29 lead at the intermission.
After returning to the court, the RedHawks posted a 7-2 run over a minute and a half, but a layup from Hannah Plybon and a trip to the line from Tecca would put a stop to the Miami momentum.
The Zips were able to stay ahead by as many as 34 points throughout the last 20 minutes, after a lay-in from Katie Nunan. The sophomore forward finished the night with nine points off the bench.
Akron will travel to crosstown rival Kent State on Sunday, March 2 to take on the Golden Flashes in the second installment of the PNC Wagon Wheel Challenge. Tip off against at the M.A.C. Center is set for 2 p.m.
