Toledo Propels Past Akron, 75-62

Saturday, February 13

Akron, Ohio

2:00 PM

University of Akron

5-12,2-12MAC

Toledo

9-9,5-9MAC

Toledo

Akron

February 13 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

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AKRON, Ohio - The University of Akron women's basketball team garnered three double-digit scoring efforts, but the performances were not enough to lift the Zips (5-12, 2-12 MAC) past Toledo (9-9, 5-9 MAC) in a Mid-American Conference showdown on Saturday, Feb. 13, inside James A. Rhodes Arena, as the Rockets posted a 75-62 triumph.

The contest served as the third annual 'Akron for Nakon' game where the Akron women's basketball team and the Akron community come together to help raise awareness and donations for all cancer survivors and fighters. A silent auction is currently underway and will run through 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13. Additionally, 'Akron for Nakon' t-shirts will be sold, and you can donate to 'Akron for Nakon' here, through Sunday, Feb. 14, with all the proceeds benefiting the Nakon Foundation.

Senior F Jordyn Dawson (Huntington, W.Va.) led the Zips with team-high marks in points (20) and steals (3), while sophomore F Molly Neitzel (Rocky River, Ohio) and redshirt freshman G Layne Ferrell (Franklin, Ohio) each added a career-best 12 points. Additionally, sophomore F Lonasia Brewer (Akron, Ohio) chipped in eight points and four rebounds. The performances of Ferrell and Neitzel sparked the Zips to a 31-4 edge in bench scoring on the day.

Quinesha Lockett registered a game-high 26 points for Toledo, while Sammi Mikonowicz and Sophia Ward added 20 and 11 tallies, respectively.

Akron wrapped up the contest shooting 37.5 percent from the field, including making five three pointers, with a pair coming from Ferrell. The Rockets concluded the game connecting on 49.2 percent of their shots.

The opening half was one in which Toledo started fast before Akron settled into an offensive rhythm that saw both sides exchange runs that resulted in three ties and 10 lead changes before intermission.

The Zips and Rockets battled back-and-forth in the second quarter before a corner jumper from Molly Neitzel as time expired gave Akron a 35-34 halftime lead.

Bench scoring buoyed the Akron attack from the outset, with the second unit tallying nine of the Zips' first 14 points and 25 of its 35 in the half. Ferrell in particular proved to be a spark on offense, scoring seven points spanning the initial 20 minutes of play to help initiate a 15-4 run that propelled Akron to a 24-23 lead at the 7:06 mark of the second quarter.

The third quarter proved decisive in the final outcome as Toledo opened the stanza on a 14-2 run over the first 3:45 of the half to claim a double-digit lead, 48-37, an advantage it didn't relinquish. The Rockets went on to outscore Akron in the period, 26-13, to erase a one-point halftime deficit and assume a 60-48 lead heading into the final period.

The Zips were unable to inch closer than 11 points down the stretch as Toledo earned a 75-62 triumph.

Akron is slated to return to action traveling to Oxford, Ohio, for a 5:30 p.m. tilt versus Miami om Feb. 24. The contest will be broadcast on the Akron Radio Network 640 WHLO AM with Bill Morgan calling the action.