The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
4-4
Valparaiso
1-7
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | 15 | 27 | 22 | 21 | 85 |
| Valpo | 19 | 19 | 22 | 14 | 74 |
Zips Register Third-Straight Win Downing Valparaiso, 85-74
December 09 | Women's Basketball
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VALPARAISO, Ind. - Four Akron players scored in double figures and senior Anita Brown (Warren, Ohio) matched a season-high 27 points Wednesday night, Dec. 9, as the Zips defeated Valparaiso on the road, 85-74.
Akron (4-4) has now won three in a row after handing Valparaiso (1-7) its third loss at the Athletics-Recreation Center this season.
Brown also led the Zips on the glass after pulling down seven rebounds. The guard has scored 20 or more points six times this year, including the team's last two wins.
Sophomore Greta Burry (Lakewood, Ohio) produced 16 points down low after going 7-for-9 from the field. She also pulled down five rebounds and rejected three Crusader shots. Junior Hannah Plybon (Orrville, Ohio) contributed 14 points and five rebounds. The junior has now totaled 154 three-pointers in her career.
Sophomore Alli Ball (St. Louis, Mo.) went 3-for-4 from the field to add 10 points, while freshman Lilli Piper (Norton, Ohio) pitched in seven points off the bench for Akron.
The Zips forced 17 Crusader turnovers in the contest and converted the Valparaiso miscues into a 21-7 margin in points off of turnovers.
Senior Megan Barilla (Fairview Park, Ohio) distributed a game-high five assists for Akron.
The Zips started off slow and fell behind by eight early in the game. However, a three-pointer by Ball at the end of the first quarter brought Akron back within four, 19-15.
The Zips claimed their first lead of the game after five-straight points from Brown with 4:46 left in the second quarter. Akron outscored Valparaiso, 27-19, in the second quarter to head into halftime with a 42-38 lead.
Burry came out of the locker room to score the first eight points as the Zips held onto a two-point lead, 50-48. The Crusaders reclaimed the advantage at the 5:06 mark of the third quarter, but Akron turned around to score on the next possession. The two teams traded baskets over the next few minutes and the Zips capped the third quarter with a layup from Brown to keep a 64-60 advantage.
Akron started to pull away at the beginning of the final period after using an 8-1 run with 6:47 left in the game. Valparaiso cut the deficit to seven at the 5:17 mark, but the Zips countered with back-to-back buckets to restore their 11-point cushion. Akron never gave up its lead from there as the Zips took home the 85-74 victory.
Akron returns to action on Sunday, Dec. 13, as the Zips travel to Moline, Ill. to faceoff against Northern Iowa. Game time is slated for 2 p.m. ET.
