Akron Comes Out On Top Over Jackson State, 74-57, At Holiday Hoops Classic

Thursday, December 20

Las Vegas, Nev.

5 PM (8 PM ET)

University of Akron

7-2

Jackson State University

3-6

AKRON

JACKSON STATE

Photo by: David Dermer

Akron Comes Out On Top Over Jackson State, 74-57, At Holiday Hoops Classic

December 20 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Follow Coach Jackson on Twitter
Purchase 2018-19 Akron Women's Basketball Season Tickets

Box Score | Box Score (PDF) | Postgame Thoughts

LAS VEGAS, Nev.– After enjoying the sights of Las Vegas, the Akron women's basketball team got down to business on Thursday night inside South Point Arena as the Zips defeated Jackson State, 74-57, behind the strength of a big third quarter in game one of the 2018 South Point Holiday Hoops Classic.

After struggling to find an offensive rhythm for most of the first half against the Tigers, Akron dominated the third quarter outscoring Jackson State, 26-15, and led by as many as 17 in the period. Despite a short offensive spurt in the fourth quarter by JSU, Akron held on for the victory.

The Zips improved to 7-2 overall on the campaign and captured their fourth win away from Akron and the JAR. Jackson State fell to 3-6 on the season.

Akron used a balanced scoring attack against the Tigers which included three players in double-figures and two falling just shy of double-digits. Junior Haliegh Reinoehl (Westfield, Ind.) and redshirt senior Megan Sefcik (Austintown, Ohio) each scored a team-high 13 points. Reinoehl added three rebounds and a steal while Sefcik notched three steals, three assists, and kept her three-point streak alive connecting on a trio of treys. Junior Shayna Harmon (Ashville, Ohio) continued to shoot the ball well for Akron as the guard scored 12 points, tied for a team-high six rebounds, and dished out a team-high four assists.

Junior Caitlin Vari (Richfield, Ohio) and freshman Gabrielle Brown-Mitchell (Solon, Ohio) each scored nine points and combined for nine rebounds, three assists, and two steals. In her first action of the season due to injury, redshirt junior Fredniqua Walker (Cleveland, Ohio) came back with a bang scoring eight pivotal points, notched an assist, and one steal.

As a team, Akron went on to shoot 45.5-percent from the floor, its third-best shooting percentage of the season, and 36-percent from long range. While Akron struggled from long range, the Zips took advantage down low and scored 26 points in the paint, its second-most points inside on the year. The Akron defense was ferocious and forced 20 turnovers which led to 20 points.

Game one of the Classic opened fast as the Zips and Tigers raced out to a 6-6 start in the first five minutes of the game.

The pace of the game quickly turned as each team went on a three-minute scoring drought (5:10-2:08). Jackson State then closed out the quarter on a 6-3 run to take a 12-9 advantage after 10 minutes of play.

Entering the game, Akron shot 33.5-percent from long range on the season. In the first quarter, the Zips struggled from distance shooting just 1-of-8 (12.5-percent) for three and 25-percent from the floor (4-of-16).

The Zips shooting woes continued to start the second quarter as Akron scored just seven points in the first 6:15 of the period and shot 3-for-9.

Akron flipped the script from that point on with a little help from Walker in her first action of the season. The Zips forward scored seven points and blocked one shot in the final three minutes of the half. Coupled with a big triple from Sefcik, the Zips claimed control of the contest and took a 26-21 lead into the halftime intermission.

The Zips came out of the locker room looking to take over the game and they succeeded. Akron dominated the third quarter from start to finish with a +11-point differential (26-15).

Out of the gates, Akron went on a 10-2 run which included points by four different players; Vari, Brown-Mitchell, Reinoehl, and Walker.

Akron did not take its foot off the gas pedal and opened up the game taking a 52-36 lead into the final period of play.

Jackson State made the game interesting in the fourth quarter however cutting the Zips lead to nine (55-46) after a 10-3 run in the first three minutes of the final period.

The Zips regained their composure and battled with the Tigers all quarter long, but Akron's lead was insurmountable for JSU to conquer leaving Akron with win number seven on the season.

The Akron women's basketball team wraps up the 2018 South Point Holiday Hoops Classic in Las Vegas, Nev., on Friday, Dec. 21, as the Zips takes on UTEP at 5 p.m. PT (8 p.m. ET).