The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
8-9 (1-5MAC)
Northern Illinois
12-5 (5-1MAC)
Akron Dominates in 84-55 Victory at Northern Illinois
January 18 | Women's Basketball
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DEKALB, Ill. - A dominating second-half performance propelled the University of Akron women's basketball team to an 84-55 victory past Mid-American Conference West Division leader Northern Illinois (12-5, 5-1 MAC) on Wednesday, Jan. 18.
The Zips (8-9, 1-5 MAC) connected on a season-best 14 three pointers in the tilt and held the Huskies, who came into the affair averaging 90.2 points per game, to 35 points under their scoring average.
Akron saw all five starters finish with double-figure scoring efforts led by a game-high 20 points from senior Hannah Plybon (Orrville, Ohio). Freshmen Shaunay Edmonds (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and Haliegh Reinoehl (Westfield, Ind.) added 13 points apiece, while contributing 11 points each was senior Alex Ricketts (Mercer, Pa.) and junior Greta Burry (Lakewood, Ohio). The 13 points for Edmonds and Reinoehl established new career-high scoring marks.
Northern Illinois, who came into play with six players averaging double figures in scoring, were paced by a 15-point effort from Mikayla Voight. Adding 14 and 11 points, respectively, were Janae Poisson and Courtney Woods. Additionally, the Zips held the Huskies' all-conference candidate Ally Lehman without a point.
Akron registered a season-best 55 rebounds to outpace Northern Illinois on the glass, 55-37, including 18-10 on the offensive end. Burry pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds for the Zips to notch her fifth career double-double, while freshman Caitlin Vari (Richfield, Ohio) recorded a career-best nine rebounds.
The opening minutes of the contest was a back-and-forth affair before the Zips gained control of the stanza with the long ball.
A triple by Plybon at the 4:38 mark gave Akron a 7-5 lead before the Huskies retook the advantage, 8-7, on a three pointer from Poisson with 4:02 left in the quarter.
The Zips then outscored Northern Illinois, 15-7, to close the quarter, including making five additional three pointers. Akron got two triples apiece from Plybon, Reinoehl and Ricketts.
Scoring proved to be at a premium in the second quarter as each side recorded 11 points with Akron maintaining a 33-26 lead at the intermission.
The Zips shot 32.4 percent from the floor in the opening half, including making seven three pointers, while limiting the Huskies to a 31.4 percent shooting mark.
Akron pulled away in the third quarter using a 14-2 run fueled by five points from Plybon and four from Edmonds to lead after three quarters, 61-46.
The Zips kept up the defensive pressure over the final 10 minutes of the game and outscored the Huskies in the period, 23-9, en route to posting Akron's first league win of the season.
The Zips return to action hosting Western Michigan on Saturday, Jan. 21. Game time at James A. Rhodes Arena is set for 2 p.m.
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