The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
8-7,2-1MAC
Northern Illinois
7-7,1-2MAC
Rasheed, Brown and Mobley Lead Akron Over Northern Illinois 73-71
January 08 | Women's Basketball
BOXSCORE (PDF) | POSTGAME COMMENTS
AKRON, Ohio - University of Akron women's basketball seniors Zakia Rasheed (Avon, Ind.), Shelbee Brown (Memphis, Tenn.) and Alexus Mobley (Indianapolis, Ind.) combined to score 55 of Akron's 73 total points as the Zips took down Northern Illinois, 73-71, at James A. Rhodes Arena on Wednesday (Jan. 8).
The Zips had three players score in double figures, led by Rasheed, who had a career-high 21 points, including connecting on seven three pointers. Her seven triples stands as the fourth-best single-game effort in program history. Brown added her fourth double-double of the season with a season-high 17-point and 11-rebound performance, while Mobley chipped in as well with 17 points, four assists and two steals.
Brown pulled down three offensive rebounds to pace an offense that racked up second-chance opportunities for Akron, grabbing 10 boards and turning them into seven second-chance points.
Akron did a great job disrupting Northern Illinois shots in the contest, coming away with six blocks. Freshman Ni'Rah Clark (Toledo, Ohio) led the way individually for the Zips with two rejections.
How It Happened
After falling behind 13-11, Akron went on a 5-0 run with 2:47 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from junior Maddie Vejsicky (New Concord, Ohio), to take a 16-13 lead. The Zips entered the second quarter down by one, 17-16.
Northern Illinois kept adding to that lead, building a 23-20 advantage before Akron went on a 7-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Brown, to take a 27-23 lead. The Zips proceeded to tack on one point to that lead and enjoyed a 31-26 advantage heading into halftime. Akron dominated in the paint, scoring 10 of its 15 points close to the basket.
Akron continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 6-0 run, punctuated by a three from Rasheed, to expand its lead further to 55-45 with 14 seconds to go in the third. The Zips still entered the fourth quarter with a 55-47 edge. Akron knocked down six three-pointers in the quarter to score 18 of its 24 total points.
Akron kept its lead intact before going on a 5-0 run, finished off by Rasheed's three, to grow the lead to 66-57 with 5:20 to go in the contest. The Huskies narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Zips still held on for the 73-71 win. Akron got up and down the court quickly in the quarter, scoring five fast break points.
Game Notes
» Brown notched a double-double for the Zips with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
» The Zips shot well from three point range, knocking down nine of 21 long range attempts.
» Akron never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
» Akron recorded 16 total assists in the game.
» Rasheed, Brown, and Mobley combined to account for 75 percent of the Zips points.
» Rasheed was an assassin from behind the three point line, knocking down seven treys.
» Akron had a 35-26 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Zips were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, recording six blocks as a team.
» Akron cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 10 offensive boards in the game.
» Rasheed led the Zips with a game-high 21 points.
» Akron got a game-high 11 rebounds from Brown.
Up Next
Akron travels to Ypsilanti, Mich., for a 1 p.m. contest versus Eastern Michigan on Saturday (Jan. 11).
