Akron Women's Basketball Can't Complete Comeback in 67-60 Loss To Eastern Michigan

Wednesday, February 20

Ypsilanti, Mich.

7 PM

University of Akron

14-10 (5-8MAC)

Eastern Michigan

12-12 (5-8MAC)

Akron

Eastern Michigan

Photo by: Jeff Harwell

Akron Women's Basketball Can't Complete Comeback in 67-60 Loss To Eastern Michigan

February 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)

YPSILANTI, Mich. – Redshirt senior Megan Sefcik (Austintown, Ohio) scored a game-high 27 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter alone as the Akron women's basketball team attempted to complete a come-from-behind performance before Eastern Michigan was able to fend off the Zips down the stretch of the fourth quarter leading to a 67-60 Eagles victory on Wednesday night.

Consistent offense and rebounding played a vital role in the contest in which the Eagles edged Akron in both categories. The Akron offense used a various runs throughout the ballgame to keep within striking distance of the Eagles but could not seem to keep the offense rolling for long periods of time. The Eagles also bullied the Zips on the boards, 50-29, including 15-to-8 on the offensive glass.

For the game, Akron shot 33.8-percent (22-for-65) from the floor while Eastern Michigan finished the game shooting 42.9-percent (24-for-56). Akron could not get it going from distance connecting on just nine of its 29 attempts, five of which came from the hot hand of Sefcik.

The Zips were efficient at the free throw line hitting a perfect nine free throws in nine attempts and forced 19 turnovers which led to 15 points.

Individually, the Zips starters amassed all 60 points for Akron led by Sefcik's 27 points. Junior Haliegh Reinoehl (Westfield, Ind.) notched 10 points and reeled in a team-high nine rebounds. Junior guard Shayna Harmon (Ashville, Ohio) pitched in nine points and a game-high six assists while juniors Caitlin Vari (Richfield, Ohio) and Shaunay Edmonds (Pittsburgh, Pa.) both scored seven points.

After a quick offensive start for the Zips scoring seven points in the first 3:15 of the contest courtesy of five points from Vari and a three-pointer by Edmonds, the Zips would struggle to close out the period.

Eastern Michigan scored nine unanswered points in the final 6:40 of the stanza and claimed a 15-8 advantage after 10 minutes of play.

The Eagles head coach Fred Castro called a timeout 2:20 into the second quarter after the Zips cut the deficit back down to four points, 17-13. Akron went 2-for-6 from the floor with a triple from Sefcik and a jumper by Edmonds while EMU went cold shooting 0-for-8.

Eastern Michigan gained its momentum back as the quarter moved along and shot 5-for-7 in the final eight minutes of the period. However, the Zips were able to keep up their offense on their end and edged the Eagles, 17-15, in the period.

At the halftime intermission, Eastern Michigan still led 30-25. A quartet of Zips led the offensive attack in the first 20 minutes as Vari, Edmonds, Sefcik, and Harmon scored all 25 first half points for Akron.

After shooing just 18.8-percent (3-for-16) in the first quarter, the Zips shot an efficient 43.8-percent in the second stanza to lift its first half percentage to 31.3-percent. The Zips defense forced 10 Eagle turnovers which led to seven points on the other end.

Both the Zips and Eagles began the third quarter blazing as the two teams scored a combined 21 points and 8-of-13 from the floor in the first five minutes of the quarter. However, Akron gained the slight edge over EMU, 12-9, to trim the Eagles lead back down to two (39-37).

Again, the Zips could not keep consistent offense through the entire 10-minute period. The Zips connected on just one field goal (1-for-8) in the final 4:54 which led to Eastern Michigan extending its lead to 47-41 heading into the fourth quarter.

Eastern Michigan used a 10-4 run to extend its lead to a game-high +12 (57-45) with 5:30 left to play before Sefcik ended the run with a floater down the right lane.

In just over six-minute time span (7:47-1:31), Sefcik went on to score 11 of Akron's 13 points to bring Akron back within a single-digit deficit and keep the Zips within reach of the Eagles.

However, five free throws five free throws in the final 1:48 of the game sealed the victory for EMU.

The Zips are back in action at James A. Rhodes Arena on Saturday, Jan. 23, as the Akron women's basketball team is scheduled for a rematch against Buffalo. The Zips host the Bulls at 5 p.m. in game two of an Akron basketball doubleheader with the Zips men's basketball team taking on Miami at 2 p.m.