The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
0-7,0-0MAC
Youngstown State
5-2,0-0Horizon
Akron Falls to Youngstown State
November 30 | Women's Basketball
AKRON, Ohio -The Akron women's basketball team got a 23-point showing from the bench, but fell 90-63 to the Youngstown State Penguins at James A. Rhodes Arena on Sunday.
Prior to the game, Akron head coach Ryan Gensler and Youngstown State head coach Melissa Jackson honored longtime UA women's basketball radio personality Bill Morgan with a commemorative game ball. Morgan was the Voice of Akron Women's Basketball for 18 seasons 515 games from 2006 through last season. He called the Zips successes on the radio over the years under head coaches Jodi Kest, Melissa Jackson and Ryan Gensler, including Akron capturing a MAC East title, a MAC Tournament championship, and multiple postseason appearances in the NCAA and WNIT.
The Zips (0-7) had three players score in double figures, led by Maddie Vejsicky, who had 11 points and seven rebounds. Izzy Callaway tacked on 11 points from the bench and Corinne Reed chipped in as well with 10 points.
The Akron offense was strong from three-point land, pouring in eight threes on 20 attempts. Callaway hit three treys for the Zips in the contest.
How It Happened
Akron struggled out of the gate, falling behind 22-9 at the end of the first quarter.
Youngstown State kept adding to that lead, building a 36-16 advantage before Akron went on a 6-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Liisa Taponen, to narrow its deficit to 36-22. The Zips were unable to narrow the gap any further, but did not lose ground either and entered halftime with a 38-24 deficit.
Akron's deficit continued to grow after halftime, and the Zips faced a 72-47 disadvantage heading to the fourth quarter. Akron's bench made the most of its minutes in the period, as non-starters totaled eight of the team's 23 third-quarter points.
Youngstown State kept widening its lead in the fourth, constructing an 89-57 advantage before Akron went on a 6-0 run, finished off by Callaway's three, to shrink the deficit to 89-63 with 42 seconds to go in the contest. Youngstown State responded and outscored the Zips the rest of the way, ending the game with a final score of 90-63. Akron got a boost from its bench in the period, with non-starters scoring 10 of its 16 total points.
Game Notes
» The Zips shot well from three point range, knocking down eight of 20 long range attempts.
» The Akron bench came alive by scoring 23 points to its scoring output.
» Akron cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 10 offensive boards in the game.
» Maddie Vejsicky and Izzy Callaway led the Zips with 11 points each.
» Akron got a team-high seven rebounds from Maddie Vejsicky.
What's Next?
Akron returns to James A. Rhodes Arena on Wednesday, December 3 when it hosts Heidelberg for an 11 a.m. start.
