The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
7-5, 0-1MAC
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Western Michigan
10-2, 1-0MAC
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | 17 | 11 | 16 | 16 | 60 |
| Western Michigan | 20 | 21 | 20 | 12 | 73 |
Western Michigan Edges Akron in MAC Opener, 73-60
December 31 | Women's Basketball
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KALAMAZOO, Mich. – A more than six-minute scoreless drought proved too much for the University of Akron women's basketball team to overcome in its Mid-American Conference opener on Saturday, Dec. 31, as Western Michigan (10-2, 1-0 MAC) used a 13-0 run over that span to register a 73-60 triumph over the Zips (7-5, 0-1 MAC).
Akron was directed by 16- and 14-point performances from seniors Alex Ricketts (Mercer, Pa.) and Hannah Plybon (Orrville, Ohio), while freshman Shayna Harmon (Ashville, Ohio) contributed a career-best seven points off the bench. The Broncos benefitted from 23, 21 and 19 points, respectively, from Marley Hill, Breanna Mobley and Deja Wimby. Mobley finished with a double-double recording a game-high 16 rebounds.
Akron connected on 38.2 percent of its attempts from the field on the afternoon, while Western Michigan shot nearly 40 percent (.397) from the floor.
The Broncos garnered a decided advantage in rebounding bettering the Zips, 45-30, including 20-7 on the offensive glass. Western Michigan parlayed that margin into a 15-5 spread in second-chance points and a 34-14 edge in points in the paint.
The opening stanza proved to be a back-and-forth affair with the sides exchanging baskets with Western Michigan maintaining a 10-8 lead at the first media timeout. Ricketts accounted for all eight of the Zips' point in that span.
Plybon equaled Taylor Ruper's school record for three pointers (269) connecting on a triple at the 4:03 mark of the first period to make the score 12-11 in favor of the home team. She then set the record with a three pointer with 2:50 left in the period to give Akron its lone lead of the afternoon, 17-14.
The Broncos closed the initial quarter on a 6-0 run to take a 20-17 lead into the second stanza. The Zips shot 53.8 percent in the first period, including making three of its seven triples on the day.
Akron twice tied the score in the opening minutes of the second quarter before Western Michigan used a 14-4 run to assume a 36-26 lead at the 2:51 mark.
A lay-up by Plybon with 2:34 before halftime proved to be the Zips' final points of the half as Akron trailed at the intermission, 41-28.
The Zips shot 43.5 percent from the field in the first half, while the Broncos went 17-37 (.459) from the floor.
Western Michigan began the third period on an 8-0 scoring spurt to extend its lead to 49-28, before a triple by Ricketts ended a 6:12 scoring drought for the Zips.
The Broncos maintained the momentum down the stretch en route to earning the victory.
Akron returns to action on Wednesday, Jan. 4, as the Zips travel to Mount Pleasant, Mich., to battle preseason league favorite Central Michigan. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
