Akron Drops 66-57 Decision at Bowling Green

Wednesday, January 20

Bowling Green, Ohio

7:00 PM

University of Akron

4-6,1-6MAC

Bowling Green

10-3,6-2MAC

Akron

Bowling Green

January 20 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

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BOXSCORE

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - University of Akron women's basketball sophomore G Molly Neitzel (Rocky River, Ohio) scored a career- and team-high 12 points in her first collegiate start, but the Zips (4-6, 1-6 MAC) were unable to overcome Bowling Green (10-3, 6-2 MAC) as the Falcons earned a 66-57 Mid-American Conference victory at the Stroh Center on Wednesday, Jan. 20.

"I was really proud of our fight and effort, especially in the second half," Akron head coach Melissa Jackson commented. "I thought we responded well coming out of halftime. Leading up to this game, we talked a lot about how Bowling Green is legit and they play at a great pace. Early on in the game, specifically the first quarter, we didn't match their pace and intensity, and that was disappointing. We continue to see from this group that when they play hard and together, we are a good basketball team, we need to build on that."

Neitzel paced the Zips with a team-leading 12 points, including a pair of three pointers, while junior G Gabrielle Brown-Mitchell (Solon, Ohio) and redshirt freshman G Emma Tecca (Tallmadge, Ohio) added nine points apiece for Akron.

Elissa Brett and Madison Parker directed the offensive efforts for the Falcons netting a game-high 13 points apiece. Joining the duo with double-digit scoring performances with 11 and 10 points, respectively, was Kadie Hempfling and Lexi Fleming.

The two sides registered nearly identical 40-minute shooting marks with the Falcons attempting one more field goal in the contest. Akron finished the evening shooting just under 38 percent (.379) from the field and connected on seven three pointers. Conversely, Bowling Green was under its season average with a 37.3-percent shooting mark.

The Falcons earned a 42-34 edge in rebounding, including a 12-7 margin on the offensive glass. The Zips limited the damage holding Bowling Green to only a pair of second-chance points on the evening. Akron posted advantages in the game in assists (14-13), blocks (4-2) and second-chance points (7-2), while points in the paint were even at 28 points per team.

The close of the opening quarter and start of the second ultimately may have proven to be the deciding stretch in the tilt. During a span of more than six minutes (6:17), Bowling Green held the Zips without a field goal, as part of an overall 16-2 run, to extend a 12-10 lead to a 28-12 advantage with 6:20 left before halftime.

Senior Jordyn Dawson (Huntington, W.Va.) broke the scoring drought converting a lay-up at the 6:04 mark of the second quarter to begin a 7-0 run for Akron that brought the Zips within nine, 28-19, following a pair of made free throws from Molly Neitzel. Akron continued to chip away at the deficit and entered the halftime intermission trailing Bowling Green, 38-25.

Molly Neitzel paced the Zips' attack in the opening 20 minutes with a team-high nine points.

Akron opened the second half on an 8-3 run to move to within eight, 41-33, following a lay-up by junior Kendall Miller (Akron, Ohio) at the 5:58 mark of the third quarter. Fueling the surge was a three pointer from Molly Neitzel and baskets from sophomore F Lonasia Brewer (Akron, Ohio) and Miller.

The two sides seemingly exchanged points over the remainder of the quarter with the Falcons assuming a 51-40 lead heading into the final period.

Bowling Green began the final quarter on a 9-2 run to take its largest lead of the evening, 60-42, with 4:47 left on the clock.

The Zips continued to battle outscoring the Falcons down the stretch, 15-6, but Bowling Green held on to secure the triumph.

Akron is scheduled to host Central Michigan on Saturday, Jan. 23 for a 2 p.m. tilt at James A. Rhodes Arena. The contest will be broadcast on the Akron Radio Network 99.7 Canton's New Country with Bill Morgan calling the action.