The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
9-11,3-5MAC
Buffalo
17-2,6-2MAC
Akron Battles Buffalo Down to the Wire in 80-71 Setback
January 25 | Women's Basketball
BOXSCORE (PDF) | POSTGAME COMMENTS
AKRON, Ohio - The University of Akron women's basketball trio of redshirt senior Shelbee Brown (Memphis, Tenn.), junior Maddie Vejsicky (New Concord, Ohio) and senior Alexus Mobley (Indianapolis, Ind.) combined to score 54 of Akron's 71 total points, but the Zips fell to Buffalo, 80-71, at James A. Rhodes Arena on Saturday (Jan. 25).
The Zips (9-11, 3-5) had three players score in double figures, led by Brown, who had a career-high 21 points and six rebounds. Vejsicky added a career-best 17 points off the bench, while Mobley chipped in with 16 points, a season-high nine rebounds and two steals.
The Akron offense was very productive from downtown, pouring in nine threes on 28 attempts. Vejsicky was the most prolific shooter for the Zips, connecting on a career-best five treys in the contest.
The Akron defense was a problem in Saturday's game, forcing 14 Buffalo turnovers. Those takeaways turned into 18 points on the other end of the floor. Redshirt senior Emily Hall (Phoenix, N.Y.) led the way individually for the Zips with two steals.
How It Happened
After playing to a 7-7 tie early in the game, Akron went on a 13-0 run with 5:36 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from junior Liisa Taponen (Tampere, Finland), to take a 20-7 lead. The Zips then maintained that lead and entered the quarter break with a 25-12 advantage. Akron relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down five shots to account for 15 of its 25 points.
The Bulls rallied in the second quarter and entered halftime leading 35-34.
Akron continued to battle after halftime but the Zips faced a 56-53 disadvantage heading to the fourth quarter. Akron knocked down three three-pointers in the quarter to score nine of its 19 total points.
Akron was unable pull any closer in the fourth, losing by a final of 80-71. Akron got a boost from its bench in the period, with non-starters scoring five of its 18 total points.
Game Notes
» Akron found success from beyond the arc, knocking down nine treys in the game.
» Brown, Vejsicky, and Mobley combined to account for 76 percent of the Zips points.
» The Akron defense forced 14 turnovers.
» Brown led the Zips with a game-high 21 points.
» Akron got a game-high nine rebounds from Mobley.
Up Next
Akron travels to Bowling Green for a 7 p.m. tilt against the Falcons on Wednesday (Jan. 29).
