Balanced Scoring Attack Propels Akron over Miami on Senior Day

Saturday, February 25

Akron, Ohio

2:00 PM

University of Akron

16-11,7-9MAC

Miami

11-18,6-10MAC

Miami (OH)

Akron

Balanced Scoring Attack Propels Akron over Miami on Senior Day

February 25 | Women's Basketball

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AKRON, Ohio – Senior Day was a victorious one for the University of Akron women's basketball teams as they bested the Miami RedHawks, 88-80, on Saturday afternoon, at James A. Rhodes Arena.

Playing their final home contest of the regular season, Akron honored its four seniors – Dominique Camp (Dayton, Ohio), Layne Ferrell (Franklin, Ohio), Rachel Martindale (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and Molly Neitzel (Rocky River, Ohio) prior to the game, then followed their lead to a Mid-American Conference win.

Neitzel led the Zips with a career-high 24 points and seven rebounds, while Camp nearly recorded a triple-double with a 19-point, 10-rebound and eight-assist performance, as well as a game-high five steals. Sophomore F Reagan Bass (Strongsville, Ohio) also reached double figures with 18 points in the win, while Ferrell added 14 points.

Behind Neitzel, Camp and Bass, Akron (16-11, 7-9 MAC) took the lead for good with 5:21 remaining in the first quarter and never looked back. Despite a determined effort by Miami, the Zips pushed their lead to as many as 11 and held on for a key win in the MAC standings ahead of the postseason.

It was a triumph built on interior dominance and success in transition, as the Zips outrebounded the RedHawks, 39-35, including a 30-24 edge on the defensive glass en route to posting a 14-0 advantage in fast-break points. Many of those points on the break stemmed from Miami turnovers and helped Akron to a 19-5 edge in points off turnovers.

In the decisive fourth quarter, an early 8-2 run powered by five points from Neitzel gave Akron breathing room in a close contest. The two teams traded small runs the rest of the way, but outstanding perimeter defense helped the Zips close out the win as they limited the RedHawks (11-18, 6-10 MAC) to 4-of-25 shooting (16 percent) from three-point range.

Maddi Cluse led Miami with 18 points, while Sierra Morrow also added 18 in defeat.

UP NEXT:
The Zips will close out the regular season with road contests against Buffalo and Central Michigan on Wednesday and Saturday, March 1 and March 4, respectively, ahead of the MAC Tournament in Cleveland from March 8-11. The Buffalo contest, set for March 1, will tip off at 6 p.m. and can be seen on ESPN+.