Zips Fall To Florida Gulf Coast, 82-63

Saturday, November 18

Akron, Ohio

2:30 pm

University of Akron

1-2

Florida Gulf Coast University

4-0

Florida Gulf Coast

Akron

Photo by: Jeff Harwell

November 18 | Women's Basketball

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Akron, Ohio- In game four of the 2017 Akron Classic hosted by the Zips, The University of Akron women's basketball team fell to Florida Gulf Coast, 82-63, at James A. Rhodes Arena on Saturday afternoon.

Named to the 2017 All-Classic team were two Zip sophomores Shaunay Edmonds (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and Haliegh Reinoehl (Westfield, Ind.), along with Kent State's Jordan Korinek, Southeastern Louisiana's Taylin Underwood, and Florida Gulf Coasts Tytionia Adderly. The Eagles Nasrin Ulel was named the Akron Classic Most Valuable Player.

After opening the first quarter shooting just 30 percent (3-for-10), Akron (1-2) shot the ball more efficiently as each quarter passed, including a game-high 63.6 percent in the fourth quarter. Combined, the Zips shot 42.6 percent (20-for-47) from the field, their season-best, and 42.1 percent from long range, also a season-high.

Redshirt junior Megan Sefcik (Austintown, Ohio) led the Zips with 13 points knocking down three triples from beyond the arc. In her second contest of the season, freshman Destiney Perkins (Indianapolis, Ind.) scored her first collegiate points en route to a 10 point, four assist performance, while Edmonds contributed nine points and grabbed four rebounds.

Florida Gulf Coast jumped out early in the game courtesy of a shooting percentage of 57.1 percent and led 24-9 after the first quarter. In the first stanza, Sefcik shot 2-for-2 from beyond the arc for six of the Akron nine points.

The Eagles stayed out in front through the first five and half minutes in the second quarter leading the Zips 36-16. The Zips cut the Eagles lead down to 18 with 54 seconds to play. Sophomore Caitlin Vari (Richfield, Ohio) completed a three-point play, followed by a three-pointer from senior Lauren Hung (Waterford, Mich.), and a pair of free throws by Edmonds to make the score 44-26.

The Zips trailed 47-26 heading into the intermission shooting 35 percent from the field, while the Eagles converted 53 percent from the floor.

A 7-1 run by Akron in a minute and a half span (7:31-6:08) cut the deficit to 17 points after a pair of layups from Sefcik and Vari, and a three-pointer from Edmonds at the top of the arc.

Heading into the final period of play, Florida Gulf Coast led 73-41.

Despite being down, Akron refused to let up the intensity and went on a 10-0 run in the first five and a half minutes for the fourth quarter. Kynnedy Abuzike (Columbus, Ohio) got the run started completing a three-point play off a foul and a free throw, while Perkins hit two free throws to make the score 75-55.

Throughout the run, Leyendecker scored four of her seven points, while Perkins scored five of her ten points in the final four minutes of play.

Florida Gulf Coast held on to defeat the Zips 82-63 as time expired.

The Zips return home on Nov. 22 when Akron meets Eastern Kentucky for the second time in as many years at James A. Rhodes Arena. Game time is set for 7 p.m.