The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
9-14,4-8MAC
Buffalo
14-9,7-5MAC
Defensive Effort Leads Akron Past Buffalo, 65-54
February 17 | Women's Basketball
BOXSCORE (PDF) | POSTGAME COMMENTS
AKRON, OHIO - The University of Akron women's basketball team led by a career-high 19-point performance from freshman Teniesha Clarke (Burlington, Ontario) posted an impressive 65-54 victory over Buffalo at James A. Rhodes Arena on Saturday (Feb. 17).
Akron's defensive efforts kept Buffalo to just 9.5 percent from three-point range in a 2-for-21 shooting performance as part of an overall .316 shooting mark, well below the Bulls' season average of 42.6 percent.
The Zips had three players score in double figures, led by Clarke, who had 19 points. Sophomore Lanae Riley (Akron, Ohio) tacked on 12 points and seven rebounds, while junior Reagan Bass (Strongsville, Ohio) chipped in as well with her league-leading 13th double-double of the year with 10 points and a game-high 14 rebounds.
Akron utilized fantastic ball movement in Saturday's game, piling up 15 assists on 25 made field goals. Individually, junior Zakia Rasheed (Avon, Ind.) lent a helping hand the most for the Zips with four assists.
The Akron defense held Buffalo shooters to only 31.6 percent from the field, including 9.5 percent from three-point range. The Bulls did not get many second opportunities on the offensive end, as they grabbed only six offensive rebounds and scored five second-chance points while Akron pulled down 33 defensive rebounds. Led by the defensive performance from Clarke, the Zips limited Chellia Watson, the league's leading scorer at 24.5 points per game, to just five points on 2-of-10 shooting.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 7-4 advantage, Akron went on a 9-0 run with 6:17 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from junior Alexus Mobley (Indianapolis, Ind.), to increase its lead to 16-4. The Zips entered the quarter break with a 16-6 advantage. Akron got a great contribution from its bench in the period, as non-starters accounted for six of its 16 total points.
Akron kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 6-0 run starting at the 7:00 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Riley, to increase its lead to 26-10. The Zips proceeded to tack on five points to that lead and enjoyed a 35-14 advantage heading into halftime. Akron forced four Buffalo turnovers in the period and turned them into five points.
Akron continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a three from Rasheed, to expand its lead further to 51-28 with 2:52 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Bulls had cut into that lead, but the Zips still entered the fourth quarter with a 53-39 edge. Akron played well near the basket, scoring 12 of its 18 points in the paint.
Akron started tacking on points in the fourth almost immediately, going on a 7-0 run, finished off by Riley's layup, to grow the lead to 60-39 with 7:58 to go in the contest. The Bulls narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Zips still cruised the rest of the way for the 65-54 win. Akron took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring eight of its 12 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» Bass notched a double-double for the Zips with 10 points and 14 rebounds.
» The Zips held the Bulls to only 31.6 percent shooting from the field.
» The Zips never trailed in the game.
» Akron tallied 15 total assists in the game.
» Akron had a great day defensively, holding Buffalo to 10 percent from beyond the arc on 21 attempts.
» Akron had a 46-27 edge on the boards in the win.
» Akron cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 13 offensive boards in the game.
Up Next
Akron hosts Bowling Green in a 7 p.m. tilt on Wednesday (Feb. 21) at James A. Rhodes Arena.
