The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
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Geneva
3-6,0-2PAC
Clark and McGuff Record Double-Doubles in 100-65 Win Over Geneva
December 16 | Women's Basketball
BOXSXCORE (PDF) | PHOTO GALLERY
AKRON, Ohio - University of Akron women's basketball sophomore Ni'Rah Clark (Toledo, Ohio) and junior Keiryn McGuff (Dublin, Ohio) each recorded double-doubles to help lead the Zips to a 100-65 victory over Geneva at James A. Rhodes Arena on Tuesday (Dec. 16).
The Zips had five players score in double figures, led by Clark with 21 points and 11 rebounds, while McGuff followed with a 12-point and 11-rebound performance for her first career double-double. Sophomores Izzy Callaway (Copley, Ohio) and Liz Murphy (Yackandandah, Australia) both registered 17 points with two steals off of the bench, while freshman Corinne Reed (Chicago, Ill.) rounded out the double-digit scoring with a career-best 13 points to go along with a career-high nine rebounds. Murphy's 17-point tilt marked a career-best scoring total.
Akron out-rebounded Geneva 62-38, led by Clark and McGuff's 11 boards each. The Zips also pulled down 28 offensive rebounds and scored 29 second-chance points.
The Akron defense held Geneva shooters to only 33.8 percent from the field.
How It Happened
After falling behind 15-12, Akron went on a 9-0 run with 3:46 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Murphy, to take a 21-15 lead. The Zips entered the quarter break with a 24-19 advantage. Akron capitalized on seven Geneva turnovers in the period, turning them into six points on the other end of the floor.
Akron built that first quarter lead to 35-27 before going on an 8-0 run starting at the 4:22 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Murphy, to increase its lead to 43-27. The Golden Tornadoes cut into that lead, but the Zips still enjoyed a 48-34 advantage heading into halftime. Akron dominated in the paint, scoring 16 of its 24 points close to the basket.
Akron wasted no time building on its lead, going on an 8-0 run to expand its lead further to 56-34 with 8:03 to go in the third. Before the third period was over, the Zips added three points to that margin and entered the fourth quarter with a 81-56 edge. Akron's bench made the most of its minutes in the period, as non-starters totaled 17 of the team's 33 third-quarter points.
Akron kept its lead intact before going on a 14-0 run to grow the lead to 100-63 with 46 seconds to go in the contest. The Golden Tornadoes narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Zips still cruised the rest of the way for the 100-65 win. Akron took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 12 of its 19 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» The Zips have now scored 100 or more points twice in a season for the first time since the 2014-15 campaign.
» Akron got double-doubles from both Clark and McGuff.
» The Zips held the Golden Tornadoes to only 33.8 percent shooting from the field.
» The Zips never trailed after taking a 24-19 first quarter lead.
» Akron recorded 18 total assists in the game.
» The Akron bench came alive by adding 65 points to its scoring output.
» Five Akron players scored 10 or more points.
» Clark and Callaway came off the bench to score 21 and 17 points, respectively.
» Akron had a 62-38 edge on the boards in the win, the 10th-best single-game effort in program history.
» The Akron defense forced 26 turnovers.
» Akron cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 28 offensive boards in the game.
» Clark led the Zips with a game-high 21 points.
» Clark and McGuff led Akron with a game-high 11 rebounds apiece.
Up Next
Akron battles Delaware as part of the Hawk Classic hosted by Saint Joseph's at approximately 2:00 p.m. on Saturday (Dec. 20) in Philadelphia, Pa.
