The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
14-9, 5-7MAC
Miami University (OH)
19-4, 10-2MAC
Akron Falls 67-61 To MAC-Leading Miami
February 16 | Women's Basketball
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AKRON, Ohio– Wrapping up its longest Mid-American Conference homestand of the season, the Akron women's basketball team fell 67-61 to the MAC-leading Miami RedHawks on Saturday afternoon.
On "Akron for NAKON" Day at James A. Rhodes Arena to raise awareness and support for the fight against cancer, junior forward Caitlin Vari (Richfield, Ohio) led the Zips (14-9, 5-7 MAC) with 14 points, six rebounds, an assist and one block. Junior forward Haliegh Reinoehl (Westfield, Ind.) notched her fourth double-double of the campaign with 12 points and 11 rebounds and redshirt senior guard Megan Sefcik (Austintown, Ohio) had 12 points, four rebounds, two steals, and a pair of triples.Â
At the end of the 40-minute contest between Akron and Miami, the Zips turned in a .426 shooting percentage from the floor which included a game-high 56.3-percent (9-for-16) in the fourth period. Akron's offense saw 50 percent of its point production in the paint scoring 30 points in the interior and 18 points from beyond the arc (6-for-18).Â
The game was nip and tuck for most of the afternoon as the Zips fell behind early, but refused to quit and made run after run at the RedHawks (19-4, 10-2 MAC), closing to within two points multiple times in the second and third quarters but not quite able to take the lead.Â
However, a cold spell shooting the ball in the third quarter for Akron allowed Miami to boost its lead to double digits (47-36) entering the fourth quarter. The RedHawks then fended off several more Akron rallies during the final period. The Zips continued to battle and a three-pointer from the top of the key by freshman forward Colleen Neitzel (Rocky River, Ohio) midway through the fourth quarter made the score 53-47 in favor of the visitors.
The closest Akron was able to get the rest of the way was five points (65-61) with just six seconds left in the game, but Miami was able to hold on for the road win.Â
Reinoehl was red-hot from the outset, registering 10 of her team's 13 first-quarter points and making four of her first six field goal attempts, including all three of her two-point tries in the opening stanza. It was the most points scored in a single quarter this season by the junior forward, sending her well on her way to her fourth double-double since the start of MAC play.
Turnovers plagued the Zips in the first half as they committed 10 miscues, leading to 10 Miami points on the other end. Vari and Reinoehl combined to pace Akron to a 17-15 rebounding edge at intermission, with dynamic frontcourt duo snaring 12 of their team's 17 caroms in the half.
After falling behind by as many as eight points midway through the first half, the Zips staged an 8-2 run late in the second quarter to close to within two, 30-28, and keep themselves within striking distance at the half.
Akron returns to the road for its next game, taking on MAC West Division foe Eastern Michigan Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. in Ypsilanti, Mich., in a contest that will be key in terms of potential postseason seeding for both sides. The Zips fell 72-60 at home to the Eagles earlier this season.
