The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
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Buffalo
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Zips Post Second-Half Comeback to Defeat Buffalo, 76-72
January 31 | Women's Basketball
BOXSCORE (PDF) | PHOTO GALLERY | POSTGAME COMMENTS
AKRON, Ohio -Â The University of Akron women's basketball team overcame a 12-point first-half deficit to register a come-from-behind 76-72 Mid-American Conference victory past Buffalo on Saturday (Jan. 31) at James A. Rhodes Arena.
The Zips had three players score in double figures, led by freshman Shaena Brew (Rialto, Calif.), who had a career-high 20 points and two steals. Freshman Monique Mitchell (South Bend, Ind.) added 15 points and junior Keiryn McGuff (Dublin, Ohio) helped out with 12 points and nine rebounds.
Led by McGuff's two offensive rebounds, Akron did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 11 boards that resulted in 10 second-chance points.
The Akron defense forced 17 Buffalo turnovers while committing 10. Those takeaways turned into 17 points on the offensive end of the floor. Senior Maddie Vejsicky's (New Concord, Ohio) two steals and a career-high three blocks led the way individually for the Zips.
How It Happened
After falling behind 6-2, Akron went on a 6-0 run with 6:25 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Mitchell, to take an 8-6 lead. The Zips entered the second quarter down 20-17.
Akron then started off the second quarter by going on a 5-0 run, highlighted by a three from Brew, to take a 22-20 lead. The Bulls came roaring back to take a 38-26 lead heading into halftime.
After intermission, Akron cut its deficit to 49-41 before going on a 7-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Brew, to trim its deficit to 49-48 with 2:36 to go in the third. The Zips continued their rally and brought things level at 54-54 entering the fourth quarter. Akron played well near the basket, scoring 20 of its 28 points in the paint.
Buffalo snagged a 72-70 advantage before Akron responded by going on a 6-0 run to seize a 76-72 lead with four seconds to go in the contest, a score which held for the rest of the game. Akron took advantage of seven Buffalo turnovers in the quarter, scoring seven points off of those takeaways.
Game Notes
» Akron rallied from a 12-point 38-26 halftime deficit to pick up the win.
» Akron had a stellar day defensively, holding Buffalo to nine percent from beyond the arc on 11 attempts.
» The Akron defense forced 17 turnovers.
» The Zips were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, tallying five blocks as a team.
» Akron cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 11 offensive boards in the game.
» Brew led the Zips with 20 points.
» Akron got a team-high nine rebounds from McGuff.
Up Next
Akron hosts Toledo at 6 p.m. on Wednesday (Feb. 4) at James A. Rhodes Arena.
