The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
5-2, 0-0MAC
Eastern Ky.
2-6, 0-0OVC
Akron Surges Past Eastern Kentucky, 63-57
December 10 | Women's Basketball
Follow Akron Women's Basketball on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
Follow Coach Kest on Twitter
BOXSCORE (HTML) | BOX SCORE (PDF)
RICHMOND, Ky. – University of Akron senior Hannah Plybon (Orrville, Ohio) led three Zips scoring in double figures with a 20-point performance to spark Akron (5-2) to its third straight victory, in come-from-behind fashion, 63-57, past Eastern Kentucky (2-6) on Saturday, Dec. 10.
Joining Plybon with double-digit scoring efforts for the Zips was freshman Shaunay Edmonds (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and senior Alex Ricketts (Mercer, Pa.) with 12- and 10-point games, respectively. Alexus Cooper directed the Colonels with a team-high 19 points, while Jalen O'Bannon added 14 points.
Akron withstood a nearly four-minute (3:55) scoring drought in the final period in which Eastern Kentucky whittled the Zips' lead to one, 56-55, before knocking down seven key free throws to secure the victory. The free throws were critical to Akron maintaining its lead as the Zips shot just 2-for-11 (.182) over the game's final 10 minutes.
Akron connected at a nearly 39-percent clip (.389) from the field on the afternoon, including making five three pointers. The Colonels connected on 33.3 percent of their attempts in the tilt.
The Zips won the battle for the rebounds posting a 42-37 margin, including 30-25 on the defensive glass. Pulling down a team-best six rebounds for Akron was Ricketts, while senior Brittany Gordon (South Charleston, W. Va.) distributed a game-high five assists. Blocking a career- and game-best four shots was freshman Caitlin Vari (Richfield, Ohio).
The Colonels jumped out to an early 8-2 advantage in the game before a triple by Edmonds at the 5:57 mark of the opening quarter brought Akron to within three, 8-5.
The Zips cut the margin to 11-9 on a jumper by Edmonds, before Eastern Kentucky held Akron without a field goal over the next 3:59 as part of a 7-1 run. Junior Greta Burry (Lakewood, Ohio) ended the scoring spurt with lay-up with 34 seconds remaining in the opening period.
The Colonels led after 10 minutes of play, 18-12, connecting on nearly 43 percent (.429) of their shots, while limiting the Zips to a 33.3-percent clip.
Akron opened the second quarter on a 7-2 run to cut its deficit to 21-19 following a three pointer by Plybon at the 7:29 mark.
After back-to-back baskets by Eastern Kentucky, the Zips parlayed an 8-0 run to take their first lead of the game, 27-25, after a basket by Edmonds with 2:26 before halftime.
The two sides exchanged the lead before a jumper as time expired by Mariah Massengill send the Colonels into the intermission leading 32-31.
Eastern Kentucky extended its margin to 40-35 in the third quarter after a triple by Cooper at the 7:39 mark.
An 8-0 run over the next 2:14, with four points apiece from Plybon and Ricketts, gave the Zips a 43-40 margin.
The two teams alternated points down the stretch in the stanza before Akron took a 49-46 lead into the final quarter.
The Zips led by as many as 10 points in the final period following a jumper by freshman Haliegh Reinoehl (Westfield, Ind.) with 4:57 to play, before parlaying strong defense and key free throws to secure the triumph.
Akron will have the week off to concentrate on finals before hosting Duquesne on Saturday, Dec. 17. Game time at James A. Rhodes Arena is set for 5 p.m.
