Akron's Late Rally Comes Up Short Against League-Leading Ball State

Saturday, February 11

Akron, Ohio

2:00 PM

University of Akron

14-9,5-7MAC

Ball State

21-4,11-1MAC

Ball St.

Akron

Akron's Late Rally Comes Up Short Against League-Leading Ball State

February 11 | Women's Basketball

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AKRON, Ohio – A fourth-quarter rally fell just short for the University of Akron women's basketball team, who pushed Mid-American Conference co-leader Ball State (21-4, 11-1 MAC) to the limit before falling, 61-56, on Saturday afternoon at James A. Rhodes Arena.

The contest served as the Akron for Nakon game to raise Cancer awareness as silent auctions were held with all the proceeds benefiting the Nakon Foundation.

Senior G Dominique Camp (Dayton, Ohio) led the Zips with 13 points and a game-high five assists, while sophomore F Reagan Bass (Strongsville, Ohio) recorded her team-leading sixth double-double of the season with a 10-point and 10-rebound performance. Senior F Molly Neitzel (Rocky River, Ohio) added 12 points for Akron to go along with a 10-point and seven-rebound effort from redshirt junior G Layne Ferrell (Franklin, Ohio).

The Zips (14-9, 5-7 MAC) finished the game shooting 36.7 percent from the field connecting at a .353 clip en route to draining six three pointers on the afternoon.

Akron's defensive efforts limited Ball State, who came into the contest shooting 46.9 percent from the floor and hitting 8.4 triples per outing, to a .382 shooting mark and a trio of three pointers. Additionally, the Cardinals, who average a league-best 78.7 points per outing, were limited to their lowest point output of the season in league play.

Akron closed to within two, 54-52, on a basket and one by Camp with less than six minutes remaining. Camp repeated the feat on another driving layup moments later, before tying the game at 56-all on two clutch free throws as part of a personal 6-2 run.

The Cardinals scored the next five points, holding the Zips scoreless over a span of 3:41 in the game's final minutes, to earn the road win.

Defensive pressure from both sides created turnovers throughout the opening half, with the Zips forcing eight Ball State miscues and limiting one of the MAC's top-scoring offenses to 29 points on 38.7-percent shooting in the first 20 minutes.

Led by Bass (five rebounds), Akron also outrebounded the Cardinals 22-14 in the half and 40-29 for the game, limiting the visitors to just two offensive rebounds and zero second-chance points before the break. That dominance on the glass helped the hosts build a 13-7 lead midway through the opening quarter before Ball State rallied and the two rivals swapped defensive stops en route to a 29-27 lead for the Cardinals at the intermission.

Anna Clephane topped Ball State with 26 points, while Marie Kiefer had 10 for the visitors.

UP NEXT:
Up next for the Zips is a home tilt against Eastern Michigan on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. The broadcast can be seen on ESPN+ and heard on WHLO 640-AM.