The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
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Slippery Rock
3-5,1-1PSAC
Five Zips Score in Double Digits in Akron's 79-43 Victory Over Slippery Rock
December 04 | Women's Basketball
BOXSCORE (PDF) | PHOTO GALLERY | POSTGAME COMMENTS
AKRON, Ohio - Five Zips put up double-digit points as the University of Akron women's basketball team defeated Slippery Rock, 79-43, at James A. Rhodes Arena on Wednesday (Dec. 4).
Junior Maddie Vejsicky (New Concord, Ohio), equaled a career-best 15-point and six-rebound effort to lead the Zips. Senior Alexus Mobley (Indianapolis, Ind.) tacked on 14 points and seven rebounds, while sophomore Teniesha Clarke (Burlington, Ontario) chipped in as well with 13 points. Additionally, redshirt senior Shelbee Brown (Memphis, Tenn.) and junior Liisa Taponen (Tampere, Finland) added 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Akron shared the ball well in Wednesday's game, racking up 18 assists on 29 made field goals. Individually, senior Zakia Rasheed (Avon, Ind.) led the way for the Zips with a career-high six assists and junior Kam'Ren Rhodes (Chandler, Ariz.) also chipped in with five assists of her own.
Akron's defense held Slippery Rock to only 27.8 percent shooting from the field, including 23.5 percent from beyond the arc.
How It Happened
Akron started off strong, putting together a 14-11 lead heading into the second quarter. Akron relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down two shots to account for six of its 14 points.
Slippery Rock rallied to take an 18-17 lead before Akron went on a 10-0 run starting at the 5:53 mark in the second period to assume a 27-18 edge. The Zips proceeded to tack on one point to that lead and enjoyed a 33-23 advantage heading into halftime. Akron's bench scored seven of its 19 total points in the quarter.
Akron continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Taponen, to expand its lead further to 41-26 with 7:25 to go in the third. Before the third period was over, the Zips added three points to that lead and entered the fourth quarter with a 54-36 edge. Akron knocked down four three-pointers in the quarter to score 12 of its 21 total points.
Akron kept widening that lead, expanding it to 61-39 before going on a 16-0 run to grow the lead to 77-39 with 2:10 to go in the contest. The Rock narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Zips still cruised the rest of the way for the 79-43 win. Akron took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 16 of its 25 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» Akron found success from beyond the arc, knocking down 10 treys in the game.
» The Zips held the The Rock to only 27.8 percent shooting from the field.
» Akron never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
» Akron recorded 18 total assists in the game.
» Five Akron players scored 10 or more points.
» Akron had a 50-34 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Akron defense forced 15 turnovers.
» Akron cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 19 offensive boards in the game.
» Vejsicky led the Zips with a game-high 15 points.
» Akron got seven rebounds from both Taponen and Mobley.
Up Next
Akron hosts Canisius in a 12 p.m. tilt on Saturday (Dec.
