The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
9-7,3-1MAC
Eastern Michigan
1-13,0-4MAC
Hall, Vejsicky and Rasheed Lead Akron Past Eastern Michigan, 61-56
January 11 | Women's Basketball
BOXSCORE (PDF)
YPSILANTI, Mich. - University of Akron women's basketball senior Emily Hall (Phoenix, N.Y.), junior Maddie Vejsicky (New Concord, N.Y.) and senior Zakia Rasheed (Avon, Ind.) combined to score 46 of Akron's 61 total points as the Zips knocked off Eastern Michigan, 61-56, on the road on Saturday (Jan. 11).
The Zips (9-7, 3-1) had three players score in double figures, led by Hall, who had a season-high 17 points. Vejsicky tacked on a career-high 15 points off the bench, while Rasheed chipped in as well with 14 points.
Redshirt senior Shelbee Brown (Memphis, Tenn.) pulled down three offensive rebounds to pace an offense that racked up second-chance opportunities for Akron, grabbing 13 boards and turning them into five second-chance points.
The Akron defense forced 15 Eastern Michigan turnovers converting those miscues into 19 points on the offensive end of the floor. Brown led the way individually for the Zips with two steals.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 7-3 advantage, Akron went on a 5-0 run with 6:15 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from junior Liisa Taponen (Tampere, Finland), to increase its lead to 12-3. The Zips entered the quarter break with a 16-13 advantage. Akron did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring eight of its 16 points close to the basket.
Akron went on an 8-0 run starting at the 2:58 mark in the second period, highlighted by a three from Rasheed, to increase its lead to 32-22. The Eagles cut into that lead, but the Zips still enjoyed a 32-25 advantage heading into halftime. Akron was strong from deep in the period, knocking down three three-point shots to account for nine of its 16 points.
Akron extended its halftime lead before going on a 9-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Hall, to expand its lead further to 46-35 with 2:06 to go in the third. Before the third period was over, the Zips entered the fourth quarter with a 50-38 edge. Akron played well near the basket, scoring 10 of its 18 points in the paint.
The Zips then held on for the victory in the fourth quarter taking advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring eight of its 11 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» Akron never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
» Hall, Vejsicky, and Rasheed combined to account for 75 percent of the Zips points.
» Akron had a 36-27 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Akron defense forced 15 turnovers.
» Akron cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 13 offensive boards in the game.
» Hall led the Zips with 17 points.
» Akron got a team-high eight rebounds from Brown.
» Senior Alexus Mobley (Indianapolis, Ind.) equaled a career high with five assists.
» Senior Ellen Kinnaird (Lewis Center, Ohio) made her collegiate debut on the basketball court after a standout career as a member of the Akron volleyball squad.
Up Next
Akron hosts Central Michigan in a 6 p.m. tilt on Wednesday (Jan. 15) at James A. Rhodes Arena.
