Akron Drops 60-55 Decision As Zips and Kent State Go Toe-To-Toe

Wednesday, February 12

Akron, OH

7 PM

University of Akron

10-12,3-8MAC

Kent State

13-9,6-5MAC

Kent St.

Akron

Akron Drops 60-55 Decision As Zips and Kent State Go Toe-To-Toe

February 12 | Women's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

Box Score | Box Score (PDF) | Video Highlights | Photo Gallery

AKRON, Ohio– It was the kind of game that you knew would go down to the very end. Playing the first of two games against their biggest rival this season, the Akron women's basketball team went toe-to-toe with the Kent State Golden Flashes and came up just short in a 60-55 loss on Wednesday night inside James A. Rhodes Arena.

Senior guard Shaunay Edmonds (Pittsburgh, Pa.) led Akron with 19 points, added four rebounds, three steals and two assists, while senior forward Haliegh Reinoehl (Westfield, Ind.) contributed 13 points and seven rebounds in a game that was a nail biter from beginning to end.

The Zips (10-12, 3-8 MAC) and Flashes traded big shot after big shot as the game wore on, swapped major defensive stands and emptied their respective gas tanks in search of a big Mid-American Conference win.

From Edmonds' clutch layups in the final two minutes to a key 3-pointer and conventional three-point play by Kent State, there were plenty of heart-stopping twists and turns down the stretch.

It wasn't until a heavily contested three-pointer for the Zips with seconds left came up just short, and two free throws by Kent State following a foul on the ensuing play, that either side could fully seize control in the closing minutes.

It was a game befitting two intense local rivals, as the contest was even throughout and saw the two sides nearly even in a wide range of statistical categories. While the Flashes (13-9, 6-5 MAC) held a 29-28 lead at the half, the teams had the same number of made field goals (12) and nearly identical numbers in the offensive rebounding, bench points and points in the paint in the opening half.

Neither side could build a lead bigger than five points before intermission. The game centered on defense with the Zips tallying five steals, two blocked shots and numerous deflections in the half. The offense was led once again by Reinoehl, whose 11 points in the half kept her team close and whose four rebounds paced Akron on the glass early on. The passing of sophomore guard Kendall Miller (Akron, Ohio) set up several of Akron's early scoring chances, as she tallied three assists in the first two periods.

In a game played at a slower pace, every possession took on added importance and to that end, the Zips were masterful in taking care of the basketball. They had just four turnovers before the half and grabbed four offensive rebounds to extend possessions, setting up the dramatic second half.

In the Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Wagon Wheel Challenge between Akron and Kent State, the Golden Flashes extended its lead to 3.5-2.5.

Akron takes to the road for its next game, with a long drive to Ypsilanti, Mich. to battle the Eastern Michigan Eagles at 2 p.m. on Feb. 15. The game can be seen on ESPN3.