The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
6-4
Elon
6-4
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elon | 21 | 12 | 14 | 18 | 65 |
| Akron | 16 | 18 | 11 | 17 | 62 |
Late Rally Comes Up Short as Akron Falls to Elon, 65-62
December 21 | Women's Basketball
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ATLANTA, Ga. – The opportunity for victory was within reach for the University of Akron women's basketball team, but the Zips (6-4) were unable to capitalize down the stretch dropping a 65-62 decision versus Elon (6-4) in the finale of the Georgia State Classic on Wednesday, Dec. 21.
A 27-point, 10-rebound performance from senior Hannah Plybon (Orrville, Ohio) directed the efforts for the Zips, while senior Alex Ricketts (Mercer, Pa.) and redshirt sophomore Megan Sefcik (Austintown, Ohio) each added nine points for Akron. Shay Burnett, Jenifer Rhodes and Essence Baucom registered 21, 11 and 10 points, respectively, for the Phoenix.
Plybon registered five three pointers in the game to move within six triples of surpassing Taylor Ruper's school record of 269 career three pointers.
Elon posted a 42-39 margin in rebounding on the afternoon and parlayed the advantage into 32-14 and 16-8 spreads in points in the paint and second-chance points.
The contest came down to the final few minutes of play as the Phoenix led 60-54 with 4:48 remaining. A pair of free throws and a three pointer later from Plybon cut the Zips' deficit to 61-59 with 3:29 to play.
Elon stretched its lead to four, 63-59, before Sefcik connected on a triple at the 1:58 mark to bring Akron within one, 63-62.
Defensively, the Zips were able to deny the Phoenix on their next two shot attempts, but Akron was unable to convert on its three offensive opportunities before Burnett split a pair of free throws with eight seconds left in the affair to make the score 64-62.
Junior Greta Burry (Lakewood, Ohio) corralled the rebound on the missed free throw, but unfortunately was whistled for an illegal screen on offensive end to give the ball back to Elon with four seconds left.
Burnett again split a pair of attempts at the charity stripe allowing the Zips one final opportunity to send the game to overtime. The shot at the triple didn't occur as the Phoenix escaped with the victory.
For the second consecutive contest the Zips faced an early deficit in the contest falling behind 7-2 following a basket by Baucom at the 7:23 mark. After exchanging baskets to make the score 9-5, Akron used a 7-0 run capped by a pair of free throws from Plybon to assume a 12-9 advantage.
The two teams traded baskets before the Phoenix closed the period on a 10-2 run to take a 21-16 lead into the second quarter.
Akron closed to within one, 23-22, in the second period on a three pointer by Ricketts with 7:41 left before halftime.
Four straight free throws by Elon pushed the lead back to five, 27-22, before the Zips used a 12-6 run to close the half with a 34-33 lead following a jumper by Plybon with 30 seconds remaining before halftime.
Akron connected on 35.3 percent of its shots in the initial half, including making six three pointers, and was led by 15 first-half points from Plybon. The Phoenix shot 40.6 percent from the floor in the first 20 minutes of play.
Elon opened the third quarter on a 10-4 run to assume a 43-38 margin at the 3:24 mark. A triple by Plybon and a pair of baskets from Burry sent the game into the final period with the Zips trailing by two, 47-45.
Akron twice cut its deficit to one point in the fourth quarter, but the Zips were never able to regain the lead before dropping a 65-62 decision.
Plybon and Sefcik both garnered all-tournament accolades for Akron.
The Zips return to action closing out non-conference play with a home tilt versus Ohio Christian on Dec. 28. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at James A. Rhodes Arena.
