The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
6-6 (0-1)
University at Buffalo
10-2 (1-0)
Zips Fall To Buffalo 89-66 In MAC Opener
December 30 | Women's Basketball
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AKRON, Ohio -- Redshirt junior guard Megan Sefcik (Austintown, Ohio) scored a team-high 14 points, but it wasn't enough as Akron fell 89-66 to Buffalo in 2017-18 Mid-American Conference opener Saturday afternoon at James A. Rhodes Arena.
The Zips were limited to 34.5-percent shooting on the day, including 7-of-23 (30.8 percent) from beyond the arc. Akron, which had hit six or more 3-pointers in all but two games this season entering the contest, was unable to get on track from long distance.
Buffalo came into the game allowing opponents to shoot just 27.9 percent from distance and was able to keep Akron from getting consistently good looks on 3-pointers. The Zips (6-6, 0-1 MAC) countered with a solid effort on the glass with the Bulls holding a slim 37-34 edge.
Offensively for the Bulls, Buffalo shot 51.5 percent (35-of-68) as a team, including 8-of-14 from 3-point range.
Along with Sefcik, the Akron bench delivered consistent contributions throughout the game scoring 29 points as a unit. Sophomore forward Caitlin Vari (Richfield, Ohio) was the top bench scorer for Akron, tallying 10 points in just 20 minutes, while freshman forward Sarah Leyendecker (Lewisburg, Ind.) and sophomore guard Alyssa Clay (Pittsburgh, Pa.) added nine and eight points, respectively.Â
Sophomore guards Shaunay Edmonds (Pittsburgh, Pa.) anc Shayna Harmon (Ashville, Ohio), along with freshman forward Kynnedy Azubike (Columbus, Ohio) and freshman guard Destiny Perkins (Indianapolis, Ind.) led the way for Akron with a team-high four rebounds each, helping the Zips narrow the 18- and 15-rebound margins the Bulls (10-2, 1-0 MAC) amassed in the teams' two matchups last season.
Turnovers were a major story in the game, as Akron committed 20 in the game, including 14 in the first two quarters. The giveaways led to a two-minute stretch spanning the first and second quarters in which the hosts did not attempt a single field goal, during which time Buffalo staged an 8-0 run to extend its lead to 18 points ( early in the second period.
Buffalo claimed a 23-7 lead after the first ten minutes of play with 11 of their points coming off the the Zips eight turnovers. From that point on, the Bulls controlled the contest.Â
Akron made several runs throughout the second half of the game cutting the margin to minus-12 (48-60) late in the third period after back-to-back three-pointers by Sefick and Clay, but each time the Bulls were able to counter as four players helped shoulder the scoring load. Senior center Cassie Oursler and junior guard Autumn Jones led the way with 18 points each, while senior guard Katherine Ups scored 12 and senior guard Stephanie Reid added 11 on the afternoon.
Sefcik shined in the third quarter when the Zips sharpshooter scored 11 of her 14 points by way of two triples, three free throws, and jumper inside the paint.Â
The game was Akron's final one of 2017, as the Zips return to action on Jan. 3 with a road game at Toledo. Tip-off between the Zips and Rockets is scheduled for 7 p.m.
