Akron Falls To Buffalo, 85-71, In Second Meeting With Bulls

Saturday, February 17

Buffalo, NY

1 PM

University of Akron

8-17 (2-12MAC)

University at Buffalo

21-4 (12-2MAC)

Akron

Buffalo

Photo by: Jeff Harwell

Akron Falls To Buffalo, 85-71, In Second Meeting With Bulls

February 17 | Women's Basketball

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BUFFALO, N.Y.- In its second match-up of the season, the University of Akron women's basketball team found themselves down by double-digits at halftime against MAC East-leading Buffalo and the deficit was too large to overcome as the Zips fell to the Bulls, 85-71, Saturday afternoon at Alumni Arena.

The Zips (8-17, 2-12 MAC) used a balanced scoring attack with eight of the nine Akron players to check into the game tallying points in the point column. Three of the Zips eight players to score posted double-digit scoring performances including freshman Destiny Perkins (Indianapolis, Ind.) (17), sophomore Shaunay Edmonds (Pittsburgh, Pa.) (13), and senior Greta Burry (Lakewood, Ohio) (12). Along with her team-leading 17 points, Perkins added five steals and four assists in 30 minutes of play. Edmonds pitched in four assists and three steals, while Burry grabbed seven rebounds and two steals.

For Buffalo (21-4, 12-2 MAC), the Bulls had five players in double-figures including a game-high 18 points by Summer Hemphil and 13 points from Cierra Dillard and Autumn Jones.

Akron and Buffalo battled inside Alumni Arena in the first five and a half minutes leading to the first media timeout of the game. The Zips opened the contest out in front 5-2 following a three-point play by Burry and a 15-foot jumper by sophomore Shayna Harmon (Ashville, Ohio).

UB countered right back with an identical 5-2 run to even the score at seven all, before taking an 11-10 lead at the 4:29 mark.

Out of the media timeout, the Bulls blitzed the Zips defense and scored eight straight points to claim an 18-10 lead and forced Akron to call a timeout and reset.

Sophomore Haliegh Reinohel (Westfield, Ohio) ended the Bulls scoring streak with a three-pointer from the right side of the arc which sparked a small offensive spurt, 6-3, in favor of the Zips to cut into the UB lead and trail by just minus-five (21-16) at the end of the first quarter.

The Zips offensive momentum continued as the second quarter began outscoring UB, 6-2, and trimmed the IB lead down to just one, 23-22. Perkins twinkled the twine with a pair of free throws, sophomore Alyssa Clay (Indianapolis, Ind.) dropped in a floater from the baseline, and Reinoehl capped the run after a five-foot jumper from just beyond the block.

Just as the Zips seemed to find an offensive rhythm and were in striking distance of taking over the lead, Buffalo went on a 12-1 scoring run to open up the game and take a 35-23 lead at the media timeout (3:56).

To close out the first half, each team would score seven points in a back-and-forth final 3:56 as the Bulls held on to a 12-point lead, 42-30, heading into the locker room.

Just like the end of the first half, the start of the third quarter was a back-and-forth effort by the Zips and Bulls as Akron gained a slight 10-9 edge. Burry brought the game back within eight points (48-40) at the 5:21 mark of the period that pushed her into double-digits.

Following the media timeout, Buffalo took control of the contest using a 15-3 scoring steak giving the Bulls a game-high 20-point lead, 63-43, at the 1:21 mark of the third stanza.

The Zips cut the deficit down to minus-15 before heading into the final 10 minutes of play by way of a 5-0 run in the final 1:01 of the quarter to make the score, 48-36.

Akron would need a big fourth quarter to fight back into the game. After each team scored six points in the initial three minutes of the period, Buffalo still held a 15-point lead, 69-54.

In a matter of three minutes (6:29-3:47) the Bulls extended their lead back to plus-19 (75-57) following a 7-1 run.

Despite Akron outscoring Buffalo 14-9 in the final three minutes of the ball game, the Zips would ultimately fall, 85-71.

The Zips return to James A. Rhodes for the first time in two weeks, as Akron hosts Miami on Wednesday, Feb. 21, for midweek Mid-American Conference action. First tip is set for 7 p.m.