Bass and Dawson Lead Zips, Akron Holds On For Win Over Eastern Michigan

Wednesday, January 26

Akron, Ohio

7:00 PM

University of Akron

8-6,5-3MAC

Eastern Michigan

4-11,1-7MAC

Eastern Mich.

Akron

Bass and Dawson Lead Zips, Akron Holds On For Win Over Eastern Michigan

January 26 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

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Boxscore (PDF) | Postgame Press Conference

AKRON, Ohio- The Akron Zips fended off a furious late rally to earn a key Mid-American Conference win over the visiting Eastern Michigan Eagles, 68-64, Wednesday night at James A. Rhodes Arena.

After the Zips built a 15-point lead midway through the third quarter, the Eagles closed to within one in the final moments of the contest, but Akron dug in and claimed the win thanks to a clutch 3-pointer by redshirt sophomore guard Layne Ferrell (Franklin, Ohio) with 3:54 remaining and two big free throws by redshirt senior guard Jordyn Dawson (Huntington, W Va.) with 12 seconds left.

In between, the Akron defense limited Eastern Michigan to 2-of-8 shooting to help maintain the lead. Freshman forward Reagan Bass (Strongsville, Ohio) played a starring role in the win, giving the Zips a career-high 23 points, six rebounds and two blocks in a solid all-around performance. The effort surpassed her previous career high of 18, set just one week earlier in a road game against Buffalo.

Dawson was close behind, notching a monster double-double with 22 points and 18 rebounds, narrowly missing a triple-double thanks to her seven assists.

The Akron offense succeeded largely because the entire lineup dished out dimes all night long, assisting on an impressive 20 of the Zips' 24 made field goals. Additionally, an 18-6 score edge from 3-point range and 14-of-15 shooting at the foul line were central to the win.

Despite the Eagles' late surge, the Zips (8-5, 5-3 MAC) trailed for just 1:08 in the game and earned their fifth MAC win of the season. Thanks to a strong defensive effort by Akron, Eastern Michigan (4-11, 1-7 MAC) shot just 36.4 percent and outside of the middle stretch of the fourth quarter, couldn't sustain any real offensive momentum on the evening.

Redshirt senior guard Areanna Combs led all scorers with 32 points and redshirt sophomore forward Ce'Nara Skanes added 16 in defeat for the visitors.

Akron's next game will see the Zips headed north to battle Central Michigan in a Jan. 29 contest in Mt. Pleasant. Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m. at McGuirk Arena and the contest can be seen on ESPN3 and heard on WHLO 640-AM.