The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
9-20, 3-15MAC
Ohio University
15-14, 9-9MAC
Zips Send Seniors Out In Style With 62-59 Win Over Ohio
March 03 | Women's Basketball
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AKRON, Ohio -- After falling behind early, the University of Akron women's basketball team rallied and rode a strong defensive effort to a 62-59 win over the Ohio Bobcats on senior day Saturday afternoon, as Akron closed out the 2017-18 regular season at James A. Rhodes Arena with one final victory.Â
The Zips (9-20, 3-15 Mid-American Conference) trailed by as many as nine (20-11) in the first quarter, but took the lead early in the second period and never trailed again as they limited the Bobcats (15-14, 9-9 MAC) to 32.3-percent (21-of-65) shooting and claimed a 48-45 rebounding edge over the visitors.
The outcome of the game was in doubt until the final seconds, but freshman guard Destiny Perkins (Indianapolis, Ind.) came up with a key sequence in the closing minute, stealing the ball to end an Ohio possession and setting up the Akron offense for two clutch free throws by sophomore guard Shaunay Edmonds (Pittsburgh, Pa.).
After Ohio narrowed the margin to one (60-59), Edmonds sank two more charity tosses for the final margin and a last second 3-pointer at the buzzer by Ohio junior guard Dominique Doseck was off the mark as Akron secured the win.
Edmonds led a balanced Akron attack with 19 points, three assists, and three rebounds, while senior guard Lauren Hung (Waterford, MIch.) and sophomore guard Shayna Harmon (Ashville, Ohio) each added nine for the Zips. Sophomore Haliegh Reinoehl (Westfield, Ind.) was huge for the Zips on the glass grabbing 12 total rebounds, including seven defensive boards and five offensive rebounds.Â
After Ohio posted a red-hot shooting first quarter, making 9 of 15 shots (60 percent), to claim a 15-19 lead, the Zips were able to steady themselves on defense. Akron held the Bobcats scoreless for the first 3:39 of the second quarter and tied the game at 25-all on a jumper from the right baseline with 6:45 remaining in the first half. Coupled with a 3-pointer from Edmonds to end the opening period, it added up to a 9-0 Akron run.
Behind a trio of 3-pointers by Hung, Akron rallied from a six-point deficit at the start of the second quarter to lead 39-35 at the half. Rebounding also played a big role in Akron's halftime edge as a 25-19 margin on the glass was fueled by eight rebounds from Reinoehl.
Akron pushed its lead to as many as eight points twice in the third quarter, but both teams struggled offensively in the period. Combined, the two sides shot 6-of-35 (17.1 percent) in the third period, including 1-of-14 from 3-point range. Still, holding the Bobcats to just seven points in the quarter allowed the Zips to extend their lead to 49-42 entering the fourth.
Despite Ohio making a late-game push and trimming the lead to just one point (60-59) with nine ticks left on the clock, Akron capitalized on two clutch two free throws to seal the deal for the Zips.Â
Prior to the game, Akron honored its three seniors as Hung, Greta Burry (Lakewood, Ohio)Â and Kaitlyn Flowers (Lompoc, Calif.)Â were recognized for their contributions to the program. All three seniors started the game for the Zips, marking the first time in their careers they have started a game together. Flowers received the pass from Hung after the opening tip and converted a layup for the final points of her Akron career before exiting the game to cheers from the crowd.
A rubber-match between Zips and Bobcats awaits the two schools in the first round of the 2018 Mid-American Conference Tournament. Â No. 12 Akron will travel to Athens, Ohio to face off against No. 5 Ohio on Monday, March 5, at 7 p.m., from inside the Convocation Center. The winner of the match-up will head to Cleveland, Ohio, for the quarterfinal round of the tournament on Wednesday, March 7.Â
2018 Mid-American Conference Tournament
Monday, March 5th, 2018Â
First Round (High Seed Campus Sites)Â
Game 1: No. 9 Eastern Michigan at No. 8 Northern IllinoisÂ
Game 2: No. 12 Akron at No. 5 OhioÂ
Game 3: No. 10 Kent State at No. 7 ToledoÂ
Game 4: No. 11 Bowling Green at No. 6 Western MichiganÂ
Wednesday, March 7th, 2018Â
QuarterfinalsÂ
Game 5: Game 1 Winner vs. No. 1 Central MichiganÂ
Game 6: Game 2 Winner vs. No. 4 Miami*Â
Game 7: Game 3 Winner vs. No. 2 Buffalo*Â
Game 8: Game 4 Winner vs. No. 3 Ball State*
Friday, March 9th, 2018Â
SemifinalsÂ
Game 9: Game 5 Winner vs. Game 6 WinnerÂ
Game 10: Game 7 Winner vs. Game 8 WinnerÂ
Saturday, March 10th, 2018Â
MAC ChampionshipÂ
Game 11: Game 9 Winner vs. Game 10 WinnerÂ
11:00 a.m. EST (CBS Sports Network)
