The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
9-17, 2-13MAC
Miami (Ohio)
10-18 4-11MAC
Miami Secures 66-62 Victory Over Akron in Back-and-Forth Affair
February 22 | Women's Basketball
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AKRON, Ohio - In a back-and-forth battle which featured 12 lead changes and eight ties, the University of Akron women's basketball team suffered a 66-62 defeat against Miami University on Wednesday night, Feb. 22, at James A. Rhodes Arena.
Senior Hannah Plybon (Orrville, Ohio) led the way for the Zips (9-17, 2-13 MAC) with 14 points, while senior Alex Ricketts (Mercer, Pa.) added nine points and four rebounds. Freshman Shaunay Edmonds (Pittsburgh, Pa.) scored eight points and dished out six assists to go along with a seven-point, eight-rebound effort from freshman Haliegh Reinoehl (Westfield, Ind.).
Kendall McCoy and Lauren Dickerson paced the RedHawks (10-18, 4-11 MAC) in the scoring department with 17 points apiece. McCoy pulled down a game-high nine rebounds, while Kayla Brown added 11 points and collected six rebounds in the contest.
For the evening, the Zips connected on 43.9 percent (25-of-57) of their attempts from the field. Akron doubled the Miami points in the paint, 36-18, while both teams pulled down 37 rebounds in the affair. The RedHawks converted 38 percent (23-of-6) of their shots and connected on 81 percent (13-16) of their attempts from the free throw line.
Edmonds started the scoring for Akron, connecting on a mid-range jumper before the RedHawks took an 8-2 early lead in the opening stanza. Akron answered back with a basket from Ricketts to cut the Miami lead to four. On the next possession, Miami connected on a three-pointer to increase its lead to seven, 13-6, with 4:24 on the clock.
Reinoehl hit a three pointer to bring the Zips within four points, 15-11, with just over two minutes remaining in the first period. Akron closed out the first quarter on an 8-0 run, sparked by four points from junior Greta Burry (Lakewood, Ohio) to take a 19-17 lead into the second period.
The RedHawks used a 9-2 run to assume a 30-24 lead with 3:33 remaining in the first half, forcing the Zips to use a timeout to halt the Miami momentum. Following the Akron timeout, the RedHawks scored four straight to increase their lead to 10, 34-24, with just over two minutes to play in the half.
Ricketts delivered a triple as time expired to send the Zips into the halftime break trailing by a score of 36-29.
Plybon opened the second half with a triple from the top of the key to cut the Miami lead to just six points, before an inside basket from freshman Caitlin Vari (Richfield, Ohio) on the next possession brought the Zips within four, 38-34.
Reinoehl and Ricketts used consecutive baskets to tie the game at 38 with five minutes to play in the third quarter, but the RedHawks answered with a triple to retake a three-point advantage.
Redshirt sophomore Megan Sefcik (Austintown, Ohio) buried a three to knot the game at 43 with 3:01 remaining in the third period, but Miami again answered with a three of its own to retake a 46-44 advantage with 2:18 on the clock.
The Zips closed out the third quarter on a 7-2 run and held a 51-48 advantage over the RedHawks heading into the final period of play.
Two Miami free throws tied the game at 54 with just over seven minutes to play in the final period.
The two teams remained deadlocked at 54 with both sides encountering cold streaks from the field until the RedHawks broke the tie converting a free throw at the 4:51 mark to take one-point advantage. Miami followed with jumper to push its lead to three points with three minutes to play.
Freshman Shayna Harmon (Ashville, Ohio) collected an offensive rebound and converted a layup to cut the deficit to just one, 57-56.
On the next possession, Burry found Harmon on a backdoor cut to give the Zips a one-point lead, 58-57, with 1:45 on the clock, but Miami answered with a basket of its own to retake a one-point advantage, 59-58.
Plybon was then fouled in the act of shooting and converted two free throws to put the Zips back ahead by one point, 60-59, with 1:25 to play.
The RedHawks connected on a three-pointer from the right wing with 35 seconds remaining to take a two-point lead, before collecting a defensive rebound on the next Akron possession. Miami converted one free throw and held a three-point lead with 18.3 seconds on the clock.
Ricketts grabbed an offensive rebound and converted the ensuing layup to bring the Zips within one point, 63-62, but were forced to foul Miami again. The RedHawks converted both free throws and maintained their three-point lead with 8.8 ticks left on the clock.
Akron attempted a triple, but the shot fell short and Miami secured the rebound, and were fouled immediately. The RedHawks made one free throw to push their lead to four before the Zips called timeout with 1.6 seconds left.
Plybon attempted a three pointer at the buzzer, but it fell short and the RedHawks secured the rebound and the victory.
The Zips will return to action on Saturday, Feb. 25, when they head to take on rival Kent State in the second leg of the Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the M.A.C Center.
