The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
10-7 4-2MAC
Toledo
9-8, 4-2MAC
Akron Extends Winning Streak Downing Toledo, 81-71
January 20 | Women's Basketball
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AKRON, Ohio - The University of Akron women's basketball team on the strength of a 29-point, nine-rebound performance from senior Anita Brown (Warren, Ohio) withstood a talented Toledo squad en route to earning an 81-71 victory over the Rockets at James A. Rhodes Arena on Wednesday, Jan. 20.
The triumph extended the Zips' winning streak to three straight, while also ending Toledo's four-game stretch. With the victory, Akron improved to 10-7 on the year and 4-2 in conference play, while the Rockets dropped to 9-8 on the season and 4-2 in the MAC.
Brown finished one rebound shy of registering her team-leading fifth double-double. Junior Hannah Plybon (Orrville, Ohio) added 20 points, while senior teammate DiAndra Gibson (Ravenna, Ohio) chipped in a 15-point, six-rebound and three-assist performance. Sophomore Greta Burry (Lakewood, Ohio) contributed eight points and recorded a career-high 14 boards for the Zips.
Three Rockets scored in double figures led by Brenae Harris' 26 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
Akron forced Toledo into 19 turnovers and finished the contest with a 21-11 edge in points off turnovers and had a slight 43-42 advantage on the glass.
Senior Megan Barilla (Fairview Park, Ohio) distributed a team-high six assists for Akron, while sophomore Lauren Hung (Waterford, Mich.) added six points off the bench.
The Zips stroked the ball at a 40.7-percent clip on the night, while the Rockets shot 39.1 percent from the field.
Akron started the evening off strong leading 19-9 after a layup by Plybon at the 3:03 mark capped a 14-4 run.
From there, the two teams traded baskets until Toledo sparked a 9-2 run of its own to tie the game, 33-33, on a lay-up by Kaayla McIntyre with 3:27 left in the half. However, a made three-pointer on the following possession by Gibson put the Zips back on top for good.
Neither team could find a basket over the final few minutes of the second quarter pending a layup Hung at the 1:16 mark.
Akron closed out the quarter with flurry of action over the final second of the half. Brown was fouled with 0.6 and sank a pair of free throws to extend the Zips advantage to 40-36. The Rockets' attempted in-bound pass sailed across the opposite baseline and out of bounds to give Akron one final shot attempt. Barilla inbounded the ball to Brown, who delivered on a buzzer beater to give the Zips a six-point lead, 42-36, heading into the locker room.
Akron connected on 41.7 percent of its shots in the initial stanza, while Toledo shot 42.4 percent from the floor in the opening 20 minutes.
Akron came out strong in the beginning of the third quarter assuming a nine-point lead after a jumper by Brown with 5:00 on the clock en route to leading after three quarters, 56-49.
The Rockets picked up the pace in the final period as they slowly cut into Akron's lead finding themselves within two points, 59-57, after a jumper by Harris at the 7:21 mark.
A three-pointer by Plybon followed by a three-point play from Brown pushed Akron's lead back to eight, 65-57. Toledo was then forced to foul down the stretch, as Zips went 14-for-18 from the line in the final two minutes of the game to secure the victory.
Akron led the entire game despite a solid effort by the Rockets, leaving the final margin 81-71.
The Zips will play MAC opponent Central Michigan this Saturday (Jan. 23) at McGuirk Arena in a 1 p.m. tilt. The Zips dropped a 97-77 home decision against the Chippewas on Jan. 9 at James A. Rhodes Arena.
