The University of Akron Athletics

Akron Takes Down Robert Morris, 63-58, in OT
November 15 | Women's Basketball
BOXSCORE (PDF)
MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. - University of Akron women's basketball junior Reagan Bass (Strongsville, Ohio) hit the game-tying free throws with 20 seconds left in regulation to send the game to overtime where senior Morgan Haney (Piqua, Ohio) put the Zips ahead for good with 3:24 to go in the extra period to propel Akron to a 63-58 win over Robert Morris on Wednesday (Nov. 15).
The victory represented the first collegiate head coaching triumph for first-year Akron head coach Ryan Gensler.
The Zips had two players score in double figures, led by Bass, who secured her second double-double of the season with 22 points and a career-high 19 rebound performance. Haney tacked on 10 points and two steals, while junior Zakia Rasheed (Avon, Ohio) added a seven-point, six-rebound and four-assist effort. Rasheed's six rebounds stand as a career-high mark.
Bass pulled down five offensive rebounds to lead an offense that racked up second chance opportunities for Akron, grabbing 19 boards and turning them into 11 second-chance points.
The Akron defense caused its share of mistakes in Wednesday's game, forcing 17 Robert Morris turnovers. Those takeaways turned into 19 points on the other end of the floor. Haney's two steals led the way individually for the Zips.
How It Happened
Akron kept it close in the first quarter, but entered the second frame down 17-13.
Robert Morris built a 20-15 advantage before Akron went on a 6-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Rasheed, to take a 21-20 lead. The Zips proceeded to tack on two points to that margin and enjoyed a 29-26 advantage heading into halftime. Akron dominated in the paint, scoring 12 of its 16 points close to the basket.
Robert Morris outscored Akron in the third quarter by 10 to assume a 47-40 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.
The Zips came out of the third quarter break clicking on all cylinders, going on a 9-0 run, finished off by Bass' layup, to seize a 49-47 lead with 7:47 to go in the fourth. The Colonials then fought back to even things up at 55-55 and send the game to overtime. Akron took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 10 of its 15 points in the paint.
Akron then took care of business in extra time, outscoring Robert Morris 8-3 to seize victory by the 63-58 final score.
Game Notes
» Bass notched an impressive double-double for the Zips with 22 points and 19 rebounds.
» Sophomore Liisa Taponen (Tampere, Finland) contributed career-high marks in scoring (6) and rebounding (6) in the triumph.
» Bass and freshman Teniesha Clarke (Burlington, Ontario) each posted a pair of blocks for Akron.
» The Zips rallied from a seven-point 47-40 third quarter deficit to force the game into overtime.
» The Zips held the Colonials to only 31.8 percent shooting from the field.
» Akron had a 49-35 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Akron defense forced 17 turnovers.
» The Zips were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, tallying five blocks as a team.
» Akron cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 19 offensive boards in the game.
» The Zips finished the contest shooting 38.1 percent from the field, including at a .421 clip in the fourth quarter and overtime to earn the victory
Up Next
Akron travels to Daytona Beach, Fla., for an 11 a.m. tilt versus Wichita State as part of the Daytona Beach Classic on Nov. 24.