The University of Akron Athletics
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Dawson’s Last-Second Shot Propels Zips to Victory over Bowling Green
February 23 | Women's Basketball
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BOXSCORE (PDF)
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio- Propelled by Redshirt senior Jordyn Dawson's (Huntington, W Va.) 12th double-double and last-second shot, the Akron women's basketball team downed Bowling Green, 72-70 on Wednesday night at the Stroh Center to secure the season sweep.
After a three-pointer from junior Rachel Martindale (Pittsburgh, Pa.) clanked off the side-iron, the ball fell into Dawson's hands for the put-back with 1.2 seconds remaining, securing the victory.
Dawson, one of the top candidates for MAC Player of the Year recorded her 12th double-double of the season with a game-high 30 points, 12 rebounds, while also dishing out seven assists. Martindale added 12 points all coming from three-pointers as she went 4-of-6 from beyond the arc.
While up 34-29 with 5:38 remaining in the second quarter, the Zips never allowed the Falcons to get closer than three points for the remainder of the half. Akron dominated in the paint outscoring BG 16-8 and was red-hot shooting over 53 percent from the floor and 50-percent from beyond the arc.
The second half was a different story. The 9-point lead the Zips built midway through the second quarter was turned into a 1-point deficit in the third quarter as Akron faced a determined Bowling Green comeback and responded in style to dispatch the Falcons.
The final quarter saw seven ties and four lead changes as Akron took a 64-62 lead with 4:15 remaining as the Zips and Falcons traded baskets over six possessions. A 7-2 run fueled by Martindale's fourth three-pointer of the game put Akron ahead 69-64 before BG converted two free throws to make it a two-point game with 1:22 left to play.
Redshirt Sophomore Layne Ferrell (Franklin, Ohio) converted one-of-two free throws with 15.7 seconds left to put the Zips ahead, 70-68. BG's Amy Velasco went coast-to-coast for the tying layup with 10.5 seconds left, but 10.5 seconds was all the Zips needed to clinch the victory.
Akron will hit the road on Saturday, Feb. 26 as the Zips face Ohio for a re-match at the Convocation Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. Fans can listen to the game on 640 WHLO AM and watch the action on ESPN3.
