The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Toledo
Four Zips score in double figures as Akron shoots past Toledo, 82-56
February 14 | Women's Basketball
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AKRON, Ohio – Four Zips scored in double figures Saturday afternoon as the Akron women's basketball team shot 52.5 percent from the field en route to defeating Toledo, 82-56 at James A. Rhodes Arena.
The contest served as the Zips' Play4Kay game to help raise awareness for breast cancer and the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, which supports research, provides grants, and drives inspiration in the fight against women's cancers. Akron wore pink uniforms, head bands and wrist bands as part of its efforts.
The Zips (19-5, 9-4 MAC) dominated the defensive glass in the victory, out-rebounding the Rockets (13-10, 6-6 MAC) 34-15, and 49-26 overall.
Senior Sina King (Waterford, Ohio) led the Zips at both ends of the court, recording her team-leading 11th double-double of the season with a 19-point and 14-rebound effort. She issued a 7-of-12 performance from the field, including going 3-for-5 from beyond the arc. King had eight rebounds and 12 points at the end of the first half.
Sophomore Hannah Plybon (Orrville, Ohio) followed with 17 points after going 4-of-5 from three-point range, while grabbing six boards.
Freshman Kerri McMahan (Novi, Mich.) ended the game with 16 points to eclipse her previous career-high mark for scoring of 15 dating back to the Zips' Dec. 17 contest against Central Florida. McMahan also dished out a game-high six assists.
Junior Anita Brown (Warren, Ohio) rounded out the Zips double-figure scoring efforts contributing 13 points to the Zips' explosive offense. She neared a double-double, coming away with seven boards.
Despite the victory, Akron struggled with ball control, giving up 20 turnovers, while forcing 15 on the Rockets. Points off turnovers were tied at 13 apiece.
Jay Harriott-Bravo led three Rockets in double figures with 16 points, while Janice Monakana and Inma Zanoguera added 11 and 10 points, respectively. Toledo finished the affair connecting on 35.5 percent of its attempts from the field.
The Zips got down to business early, getting out to an early 9-2 advantage after a pair of free throws by Brown at the 14:43 mark of the first half.
Beginning at the 12:45 mark, Akron went on to ride a 23-7 run over six and a half minutes with seven different Zips contributing to the commanding run.
Akron led 34-12 following the scoring outburst, as McMahan topped it off with a layup at the 6:24 mark.
The Zips' run was fueled by 56.7 percent shooting from the field (17-of-30) in the first half, including 6-of-11 from long range.
Though the Rockets began connecting from the floor to halt the run, the Zips improved to a 23-point lead, 39-16, by the 4:36 mark. Akron led 45-28 at the intermission.
Plybon led Akron's first-half offensive effort on the perimeter, going 3-for-3 in the opening half, as well as 4-of-7 from the field. Plybon and King each ended the half with 12 points apiece.
After starting the second half and coming within 14 points of the Zips, Toledo was not able to cut the deficit below 20 throughout the second portion of the half.
The Zips increased their lead to a game-high 32 points with 3:55 to play.
Akron returns to action on Saturday, Feb. 21 when it plays host to Ohio at Rhodes Arena in the Zips' second-to-last home game. Tip off is set for 5 p.m.
