Sefcik's Double-Double Leads Akron To First MAC Win Over Western Michigan, 72-59

Wednesday, January 9

Kalamazoo, Mich.

7 PM

University of Akron

10-3, 1-1MAC

Western Michigan

7-6, 1-1MAC

Akron

Western Michigan

Photo by: David Dermer

Sefcik's Double-Double Leads Akron To First MAC Win Over Western Michigan, 72-59

January 09 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

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

Box Score | Box Score (PDF)

KALAMAZOO, Mich.– Four Zips scored in double-figures and redshirt senior Megan Sefcik (Austintown, Ohio) recorded her first career double-double as the Akron women's basketball team sealed its first Mid-American Conference victory of the season with a 72-59 win over Western Michigan inside University Arena on Wednesday night.

The Zips improve to 10-3 overall on the year and 1-1 in the conference while Western Michigan falls to 7-6 overall and 1-1 in the MAC. A year ago, the Zips waited nine games before picking up their first league win.

Akron's offense was firing on all cylinders against the Broncos en route to 72 points on the evening. As a team, the Zips shot 40.3-percent (25-for-62) from the floor and an even better 42.9-percent (12-for-28) from long range, which is the second-best clip percentage from distance of the year.

Individually, the Zips spread the ball around against WMU with four players garnering double-digits in the scoring column and eight total players with at least three points. For the ninth team this season, Sefcik was the top-scorer for Akron and poured in 15 points on 5-of-13 shooting, including a trio of triples. Junior forward Haliegh Reinoehl (Westfield, Ind.) turned in 12 points along with Vari and junior guard Alyssa Clay (Indianapolis, Ind.) as each chipped in 11 points. Clay played her best game of the season scoring a season-high, went 4-for-5 from the floor, and a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc.

The glass played a large role in the outcome of the game as Akron pulled in 45 rebounds in the contest, a +15 differential. Junior forward Caitlin Vari (Richfield, Ohio) grabbed a game- and season-high 12 boards including six on the offensive end, while Sefcik secured a career-best 10 caroms.

From start to finish, the Akron women's basketball team played a complete first quarter on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball earning the Zips a 17-5 lead after the first 10 minutes of play.

The Zips stormed out to a 10-2 lead midway through the period thanks in large part to second chances. Akron brought in three offensive rebounds in the first 5 and half minutes while Sefcik, junior Shayna Harmon (Ashville, Ohio), and junior Shaunay Edmonds (Pittsburgh, Pa.) all found the bottom of the net. Defensively, Akron made it difficult for the Broncos to get a good look at the basket and held WMU 0-for-8 from the floor.

Akron continued to its fast and aggressive play to close out the quarter. At the break, the Zips had already recorded four offensive rebounds, eight points in the paint, six second-chance points, and forced three turnovers which Akron turned into two points.

Western Michigan picked up a little momentum following the quarter breather and slowly started to inch themselves back into the contest.

After the first five minutes of the period went back-and-forth, the Broncos went on a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to +5 (27-22). WMU's strength of the quarter was shooting from long range as the Broncos connected on three triples in the first seven minutes.

As the Zips watched their double-digit lead dissipate, Akron switched gears and took over. In the final 2:16 of the first half, Edmonds led the Zips on a 7-0 run with a triple and a pair of free throws to grow its lead back to +12 (34-22).

The third period of the contest saw efficient shooting from both squads as the Zips and Broncos shot a combined 11-for-25 in the stanza. Additionally, Akron let it fly from long range in the period hitting five straight three-pointers from the 6:10 to 2:10 mark. At the end of the period, the Zips held an 18-16 advantage and increased its lead to 52-38.

Western Michigan trailed by 14 heading into the fourth quarter and down to its final 10 minutes of play. The Broncos opened the final period of play with an 8-3 offensive burst courtesy of two three-pointers and a long jumper.

From that point on the Zips defense and offense both stepped up when it needed. The quarter ended in favor of WMU, 21-20, but the game went to the Zips. Akron's lead never dipped below nine points and Akron led by as many as 19.

Akron returns to the friendly confines of James A. Rhodes Arena for the 2018-19 MAC home opener as the Zips host Bowling Green on Saturday, Jan. 12. Tip-off between the Zips and Falcons is slated for 2 p.m. and all the action can be seen on ESPN+ or heard live on GoZips.com with Bill Morgan.