The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
2-4,0-0MAC
Bellarmine
5-2,0-0ASUN
Akron Falls 72-65 to Bellarmine
November 24 | Women's Basketball
BOXSCORE (PDF)
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Akron women's basketball team dropped a 72-65 decision to Bellarmine on Sunday (Nov. 24).
The Zips had two players score in double figures, led by senior Alexus Mobley (Indianapolis, Ind.), who had 18 points. Junior Liisa Taponen (Tampere, Finland) tacked on a career-high13 points and two blocks, while junior Maddie Vejsicky (New Concord, Ohio) added nine points and six rebounds.
Akron collected 33 rebounds in Sunday's game compared to Bellarmine's 29, led by Vejsicky's six boards. The Zips also put in work on the offensive glass, turning 11 rebounds into 11 second-chance points.
The Akron defense was a problem in Sunday's game, forcing 19 Bellarmine turnovers. Those takeaways turned into 17 points on the other end of the floor. Redshirt senior Shelbee Brown (Memphis, Tenn.) led the way individually for the Zips with three steals.
How It Happened
After falling behind 11-6, Akron went on a 5-0 run with 3:27 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Brown, to tie the game at 11. The Zips then proceeded to grab a 17-16 lead heading into quarter number two. Akron did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 14 of its 17 points in the paint.
Bellarmine rallied to take an 18-17 lead before Akron went on a 7-0 run starting at the 9:31 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Brown, to take a 24-18 advantage. The Knights came roaring back to take a 40-28 lead at halftime.
After intermission, Akron cut its deficit to 43-32 before going on an 8-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Mobley, to trim its deficit to 43-40 with 5:45 to go in the third. Bellarmine countered and stretched its lead to 57-42 heading into the final period. Akron played well near the basket, scoring 10 of its 14 points in the paint.
Bellarmine widened its lead in the fourth, constructing a 59-42 advantage before Akron went on a 10-0 run, finished off by Mobley's layup, to shrink the deficit to 59-52 with 6:47 to go in the contest. The Zips were unable to cut further into the margin, losing 72-65. Akron fired away from deep in the quarter, knocking down four shots to account for 12 of its 23 points.
Game Notes
» The Akron bench came alive by scoring 21 points to its scoring output.
» Akron posted a 33-29 rebounding advantage.
» The Akron defense forced 19 turnovers.
» Akron cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 11 offensive boards in the game.
Up Next
Akron opens the Colgate Thanksgiving Tournament with a 4 p.m. contest versus Iona on Friday (Nov. 29).
