The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
8-10 1-6MAC
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Western Michigan
14-4, 5-2MAC
Western Michigan Deals Akron a 73-57 Setback
January 21 | Women's Basketball
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AKRON, Ohio - Powered by four different players scoring in double figures, Western Michigan (14-4, 5-2 MAC) defeated the University of Akron women's basketball team by a final score of 73-57 on Saturday, Jan. 21, at James A. Rhodes Arena.
Senior Hannah Plybon (Orrville, Ohio) led the way for the Zips (8-10, 1-6 MAC) with 19 points and registered three rebounds and a trio of assists. She connected on five three pointers to move to within 12 of 300 for her career.
Junior Greta Burry (Lakewood, Ohio) chipped in 12 points and pulled down seven boards, while redshirt sophomore Megan Sefcik (Austintown, Ohio) added an 11-point and seven-rebound effort.
Breanna Mobley paced Western Michigan's balanced attack, scoring 17 points, while Marley Hill added 16 points. Meredith Shipman and Deja Wimby rounded out the Broncos scoring in double figures with 15 and 13 points, respectively.
For the contest, the Zips connected on 34.5 percent (20-of-58) of their shots from the field and 32.1 percent (9-of-28) of their attempts from behind the arc. The Broncos hit 45.9 percent (28-of-61) of their shots from the field and 40 percent (4-of-10) of their three-point attempts.
Western Michigan ultimately won the contest with its play near the basket as the Broncos outrebounded Akron, 41-32, including 29-22 on the defensive glass. Western Michigan parlayed those efforts into a 42-22 advantage in points in the paint and turned the Zips' 21 turnovers into 31 points.
The two teams traded baskets in the opening minutes of the game, with the Broncos holding a 9-6 advantage with just over five minutes to play in the opening period. Plybon connected on a triple to tie the contest at nine, before burying another three pointer on the ensuing possession to give the Zips a 12-9 lead with four minutes left to play in the first quarter.
Western Michigan utilized a 12-2 run over the last four minutes of the opening stanza to take a 21-14 lead heading into the second quarter of play.
The Zips used triples from freshman Shaunay Edmonds (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and Sefcik to cut the Broncos lead to four with five minutes remaining in the first half, but Western Michigan closed the half on an 11-2 run to take a 37-24 advantage into the halftime break.
The Broncos came out of the locker room and stretched their margin to 47-26 with a 9-0 run, but another Plybon triple at the 5:51 mark ended the scoring drought for the Zips.
The three pointer enabled Plybon to reach the 1,500-point plateau for her career at Akron.
On the following possession, Plybon connected from downtown again and along with three free throws from Burry, the Zips were able to cut the Western Michigan lead to 16.
The Broncos used a quick 7-0 run to start the final quarter of play and took a 63-42 lead, forcing the Zips to call a timeout with 7:55 remaining.
Akron responded as Plybon buried a corner three and Sefcik followed with a triple of her own to cut the Western Michigan lead to 12 with just under four minutes remaining.
Edmonds then drove the lane and converted a layup to bring the Zips within 10 points, 65-55, with 2:42 to play. Akron was unable to maintain the momentum as the Broncos made six free throws to garner the victory.
The Zips will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 28, when they host Eastern Michigan at James A. Rhodes Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m.
