The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
9-8,3-2MAC
Central Michigan
6-10,2-3MAC
Brown Scores Career-High 20 Points in Akron's 75-55 Setback to Central Michigan
January 15 | Women's Basketball
BOXSCORE (PDF) | PHOTO GALLERY | POSTGAME COMMENTS
AKRON, Ohio - Senior Shelbee Brown (Memphis, Tenn.) totaled a career-best 20 points, but the University of Akron women's basketball team fell to Central Michigan, 75-55, at James A. Rhodes Arena on Wednesday (Jan. 15).
Brown added a team-high nine rebounds to her 20 point game to lead the Zips (9-8, 3-2). Freshman Ni'Rah Clark (Toledo, Ohio) helped out with 12 points and three blocks, while junior Liisa Taponen (Tampere, Finland) chipped in with four points and six rebounds.
Taponen pulled down four offensive rebounds to pace an offense that racked up second-chance opportunities for Akron, grabbing 18 boards and turning them into 13 second-chance points.
Akron forced 15 Central Michigan turnovers. The Zips turned those takeaways into nine points on the other end of the floor. Junior Maddie Vejsicky (New Concord, Ohio) led the way individually with two steals.
How It Happened
Akron kept it close in a back-and-forth opening quarter, but entered the second frame down, 16-14.
The Chippewas took control of the second quarter and outscored the Zips, 24-8, to assume a 40-22 halftime lead.
Central Michigan continued to increase its lead after halftime, building a 55-34 advantage before Akron went on a 7-0 run to trim its deficit to 55-41 with 51 seconds to go in the third. Central Michigan countered and stretched its lead to 57-41 heading into the fourth. Akron took advantage of six Central Michigan turnovers in the quarter, scoring five points off of takeaways.
Akron could not pull any closer in the fourth, losing by a final of 75-55. Akron took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 10 of its 14 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» The Akron defense forced 15 turnovers.
» Akron cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 18 offensive boards in the game.
» Brown led the Zips with a game-high 20 points.
» Akron got a team-high 9 rebounds from Brown.
Up Next
Akron travels to Muncie, Ind., to face league-leading Ball State in an 11:30 a.m. tilt on Saturday (Jan. 18).
