Akron Comes Up Short Against Toledo

Saturday, February 5

Akron, Ohio

2:00 PM

University of Akron

9-8,6-5MAC

Toledo

17-4,11-1MAC

Toledo

Akron

February 05 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

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Boxscore (PDF) | Postgame Press Conference

AKRON , Ohio- The Akron Zips dropped a tough 73-70 decision to the Toledo Rockets on Saturday afternoon at James A. Rhodes Arena, falling just short against the current Mid-American Conference leaders.

The game came down to the final buzzer as a 3-pointer from the left wing by senior forward Jordyn Dawson (Huntington, W Va.) caromed off the front of the rim as time ran out.

Dawson delivered a heroic effort on the afternoon, scoring a game-high 26 points and adding nine rebounds, five assists and two steals. She received plenty of support from freshman forward Reagan Bass Strongsville, Ohio), who notched 11 points and two steals of her own.

Toledo sealed the win with a pair of free throws by junior guard Sophia Wiard with seven seconds remaining, leading to Dawson's attempt at the buzzer.

Facing one of the MAC's heavyweights, the Zips (9-8, 6-5 MAC) played aggressively from the outset. They hounded the Rockets (17-4, 11-1 MAC) on defense, forcing shot clock violations and contested looks throughout the contest.

Those efforts fueled the Akron offense, which took the fight to a Toledo defense that entered the game as the top-ranked unit in the MAC in points allowed per game.

When Toledo tallied consecutive baskets to cut the Akron lead to seven in the closing minutes of the first half, the Zips answered with back-to-back baskets of their own, extending the lead back to 11. They ended the half with 41 points, the most points allowed in a first half by the Rockets this season, and a 41-36 lead.

Toledo surged ahead in the third quarter thanks to its defense, but even when they found themselves down by eight (53-45), the Zips steeled themselves and rallied with a 9-0 run powered by an and-1 from Dawson, free throws from sophomore guard Annika Corcoran (Painesville, Ohio) and a triple by junior guard Rachel Martindale (Pittsburgh, Pa.).

After falling behind again in the back-and-forth flow of the game, Martindale clutched up again, sinking a key three ball with 6:33 left to stake the Zips to a 62-60 lead. A three by Dawson moments later gave the hosts a 65-61 edge, setting the stage for the dramatic finish.

Junior forward Quinesha Lockett led Toledo with 20 points and junior center Hannah Noveroske added 19 for the Rockets.

A road contest in Kalamazoo, Mich. awaits the Zips as they face Western Michigan at 7 p.m. on Feb. 9 in a return matchup of the Feb. 2 battle between Akron and the Broncos. That return match can be heard on WHLO 640-AM.