Zips Hold On In Final Minutes To Drop SIU Edwardsville, 59-58

Wednesday, December 20

Fort Myers, Fla.

4:30 PM

University of Akron

6-4

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

3-7

SIU Edwardsville

Akron

Photo by: Jeff Harwell

Zips Hold On In Final Minutes To Drop SIU Edwardsville, 59-58

December 20 | Women's Basketball

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FORT MYERS, Fla. – In a game that saw 13 lead changes between the Zips and Cougars, the Akron women's basketball team battled SIU Edwardsville down to the wire and came out on top with a 59-58 victory on day one of the Florida Gulf Coast Hilton Garden Inn Classic at the Alico Arena in Fort Myers, Fla.

With two seconds to play in the contest and Akron leading 59-57, SIUE's Lauren White stepped to the line in attempts to tie up the game. White nailed her first attempt to bring the game within one. White took to the line again to try and knot up the game, but her shot clanked off the iron and senior Greta Burry (Lakewood, Ohio) grabbed the biggest rebound of the game sealing the victory for the Zips.

The Zips (6-4) offensive charge was led by sophomore Haliegh Reinoehl (Westfield, Ind.) and redshirt junior Megan Sefcik (Austintown, Ohio) who each scored in double-figures. Reinoehl went on to record her second double-double of the season and career, scoring 11 points and pulling in 10 rebounds. Sefcik, who has scored in double-digits in eight of the Zips ten games, added a 10 point, two assist, one steal, and one block effort. Sophomore guards Shaunay Edmonds (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and Alyssa Clay (Indianapolis, Ind.) also pitched in eight points each.

Akron shot 40 percent (20-of-50) from the field, 37.5 percent (9-for-24) from beyond the arc, and an efficient 90.9 percent from the charity stripe missing just a single free throw (10-of-11).

Defensively, the Zips forced 27 turnovers, swiped 10 steals, and limited SIUE to a 38.9 shooting percentage (21-of-54) and a 35.7 percent clip (5-of-14) from distance.

The contest between Akron and SIU Edwardsville began slowly as each team struggled to find the bottom of the net. The Zips and Cougars shot a combined 2-for-10 in the first three and half minutes with each team committing a pair of turnovers.

Akron began to gain momentum going on a small offensive spurt outscoring SIUE 5-2 to take a 7-4 lead courtesy of a three-point play by sophomore Caitlin Vari (Richfield, Ohio). Vari received a pass from Sefcik and in stride made a lay-up, drew a foul, and hit a free throw to complete the and-one play.

The Zips continued to shoot the ball well following the first quarter media timeout and went on a 9-2 run over a two-minute span (4:36-2:46), which was highlighted by a three-pointer from senior Lauren Hung (Waterford, Mich.) and a trio of free throws from Clay after getting fouled beyond the arc.

The second stanza was a back-and-forth battle in the first eight minutes of the quarter with Akron claiming the slight edge, 12-11, and holding a 35-23 lead at the 1:59 mark.

In the closing two minutes of the first half, the Cougars went on a 10-0 run off a pair of triples and four free ones from the charity stripe to take a 33-25 lead into the lockerroom.

Akron dominated the third quarter both offensively and defensively to reclaim the lead with a 20-to-8 advantage. The Zips stout defensive stance made it difficult for the Cougars to get an open look as SIUE scored just three baskets (3-for-14) in the period.

The Zips, on the other hand, shot an efficient 61.5 percent from the floor and 50 percent clip from beyond the arc. In the first four minutes of the second half, Akron outscored SIUE 12-to-3 to force a timeout. Reinoehl and Sefcik hit from long distance for six points, while sophomore Shayna Harmon (Ashville, Ohio) and Edmonds did their damage within 15 feet of the hoop for six more points as Akron regained the lead, 37-36.

Following a 5-2 run by the Cougars to reclaim a 41-39 lead at the media timeout, Akron stormed back with an 8-0 run of their own in the final 4:49 of the period. Harmon got things going with a lay-up and Reinoehl capitalized the run with a three-point play to give Akron a 45-41 lead through three quarters.

Heading into the fourth quarter, the contest had 13 lead changes and the contest had been tied twice. The Cougars tied the contest a third time at 45 all at the 8:04 mark, following a 4-0 run to open the fourth quarter.

From that point on the contest would remain close, but the Zips would never relinquish the lead for the final eight minutes of the game.

Akron led by seven (54-47) after Sefcik and Reinoehl nailed back-to-back three-pointers. A 6-0 SIUE run brought the game back within one point with 2:38 left on the clock. Neither team would score from that point on until there were only 24 ticks left in the game. During that span, Akron missed two shots, while SIUE turned the ball over three times and did not attempt a field goal.

In the final 24 seconds there were five five fouls called sending each team to the line. Edmonds was intentionally fouled and nailed the pair to give Akron a 56-53 lead. In SIUE's next possession, White drove to the basket for a lay-up to bring the game within one point (56-55). Sefcik was then fouled during the next inbounds play and split the free throws as Akron clung to a 57-55 lead.

Trailing by two, White aggressively drove to the basket and drew a foul. With the Zips in the bonus, the Cougars guard hit two free throws and tied up the game at 57. Edmonds was fouled while bringing the ball up the court in Akron's next possession and with ice in her veins, drilled the pair for a 59-57 lead.

White again drew a foul while driving to the hoop, made the first free throw and missed the second as Burry snagged the board for the win.

Akron continues play at the Florida Gulf Coast Hilton Garden Inn Classic on Thursday, Dec. 21 at 4:30 p.m. against Harvard.