The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
9-15 (2-11MAC)
Buffalo
17-7 (7-6MAC)
Strong Start Fuels Buffalo Past Akron, 81-51
February 18 | Women's Basketball
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BUFFALO, N.Y. - Buffalo led wire-to-wire as the Bulls dealt the University of Akron women's basketball squad an 81-51 setback on Saturday, Feb. 18, at Alumni Arena.
Freshman Shayna Harmon (Ashville, Ohio) and senior Hannah Plybon (Orrville, Ohio) led the Zips (9-16, 2-12 MAC) in scoring registering eight points apiece. Stephanie Reid posted a game-high 17 points for Buffalo (18-7, 8-6 MAC), while JoAnna Smith and Cassie Oursler added 15 and 13 points, respectively.
Akron finished the contest shooting 27.9 percent from the field, while the Bulls connected on 38.2 percent of their attempts in the game.
Paced by a game-best 10 rebounds from Gabi Bade, the Bulls outmuscled Akron on the boards, 57-37, including recording an 18-7 margin on the offensive glass. Junior Alli Ball (St. Louis, Mo.) notched a team-leading eight rebounds for the Zips.
Akron garnered edges in the affair in points in the paint, 20-16, and points off turnovers, 18-14, but it was the Bulls bested the Zips in second-chance points, 13-1.
The Bulls scored the game's first 11 points en route to hitting five three pointers in a dominating opening period of play which Buffalo led after 10 minutes, 22-5. The Zips were just 2-of-16 from the field in the first quarter.
Akron continued its shooting struggles in the second period connecting on 22.2 percent of its attempts. Conversely, the Bulls went 10-of-22 (45.5 percent) from the floor to outscore the Zips in the stanza, 23-8, en route to maintaining a 45-13 halftime lead.
Akron was outrebounded in the initial half, 32-18, including 24-13 on the defensive glass. Senior Alex Ricketts (Mercer, Pa.) paced the Zips with four first-half points.
The Bulls began the third quarter on a 10-2 run to stretch their advantage to 55-15. Harmon and Plybon scored five points apiece in the third period for the Zips, but Akron trailed after 30 minutes of play, 70-31.
Playing an all-freshman line-up for large portions of the final quarter, the Zips were able to put together a 13-0 run in the stanza keyed by contributions from eight different players, but the deficit proved too much as Akron dropped an 81-51 decision versus Buffalo.
The Zips return to action on Wednesday, Feb. 22, as Akron battles Miami in a 7 p.m. tilt at James A. Rhodes Arena.
