Defensive Effort Sparks Akron to 69-47 Triumph Over Buffalo

Saturday, January 28

Akron, Ohio

5:00 PM

University of Akron

14-5,5-3MAC

Buffalo

8-9,3-5MAC

Buffalo

Akron

Defensive Effort Sparks Akron to 69-47 Triumph Over Buffalo

January 28 | Women's Basketball

Box Score

BOXSCORE (PDF)

AKRON, Ohio – A return to home cooking for the University of Akron women's basketball team proved to be a winning recipe for the Zips as they bested Buffalo, 69-47, in Mid-American Conference action on Saturday evening, Jan. 28, at James A. Rhodes Arena.

The winning return came on the strength of a defensive effort that hassled the Bulls into 26.6-percent (17-of-64) shooting, more than 17 percent below their season average.

Sophomore F Reagan Bass (Strongsville, Ohio) led all scorers with 20 points and nine rebounds, while senior G Dominique Camp (Dayton, Ohio) helped power the charge against her former team, adding 15 points and three steals. Senior F Molly Neitzel (Rocky River, Ohio) contributed 14 points, nine rebounds and three assists in a strong all-around effort. Redshirt junior G Layne Ferrell (Franklin, Ohio) added a game-high six assists to go along with an eight-point performance, while senior G Rachel Martindale (Pittsburgh, Pa.) posted nine points, including a trio of three pointers, and dished out five assists.

The Zips (14-5, 5-3 MAC) took control of the game in the second half, building their lead from six at intermission to as many as 27 in their ninth win in 11 home contests this season.

As the Akron offense heated up, its defense remained relentless, forcing 12 turnovers on the night, and converting them into 18 points. Add in a 43-33 rebounding edge, including 40-25 on the defensive glass, and the Zips limited both the Bulls' second chances and their good looks on their initial shot attempts. The 47 points represented Buffalo's second-lowest scoring effort on the campaign.

Neither side could find much success offensively in the early going, as the contest stood at 9-8 in Buffalo's favor after the first quarter. Akron got on track in the second stanza, making four three pointers and building a 25-19 halftime lead on a strong defensive effort that saw the MAC's best field goal percentage defense force the Bulls (8-9, 3-5 MAC) into 20-percent (6-of-30) shooting.

Bass played a key role in the quarter, pouring in eight points from both the perimeter and the paint. Her 11 first-half points led all scorers and represented nearly half of Akron's total for the first 20 minutes.

Hattie Ogden scored 15 points to pace Buffalo, while Jazmine Young added 12 in defeat.

UP NEXT:
The Zips now shift their focus to their first matchup of the campaign against arch-rival Kent State, with the contest tipping off at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 1, at James A. Rhodes Arena. Stream the contest live on ESPN+ or listen to the radio broadcast on WHLO 640-AM.