The University of Akron Athletics
Monday, November 2
Akron, Ohio
6:00 PM
University of Akron
0-1,0-0MAC
74
vs
75
South Alabama
1-0,0-0Sun Belt
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Alabama | 20 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 75 |
| Akron | 20 | 16 | 13 | 25 | 74 |
Tyla Heard registered 10 points in her Akron debut.
November 02 | Women's Basketball
AKRON, Ohio — The Akron women's basketball team fought to the wire but ultimately fell to South Alabama, 75-74, in their season opener at James A. Rhodes Arena.
Kailee Bransford hit a triple to take a one-point lead with 23 second left in the game — their first advantage since 2:29 remaining in the second quarter. However, the Jaguars scored a layup with less than two seconds left to seal the victory.
The Zips held the lead in most of the first quarter, but USA went on a 6-0 run to end the period and tie it up at 20-20.
Akron's lead grew to nine, 31-22, with 6:11 in the second on a Kaylah Thornton layup. However, the Jaguars recorded a 14-4 run to take a 36-35 lead with less than two minutes left in the half and ended with a 40-36 advantage.
South Alabama maintained their lead throughout the third quarter, ballooning it to 13, 53-40, halfway through the period. The Zips cut it to eight, 57-49, to end the stanza.
Slowly, Akron began to chip away at USA's lead in the fourth. The Zips used a Tyla Heard triple with 7:28 left to jump start an 11-2 run to pull within one, 65-64, with 4:25 remaining.
After two Jaguar free throws, a Shaena Brew layup and Bransford free throw knotted the game at 67-67 with 2:44 left. Both teams traded blows from there, with the Jaguars maintaining a one-possession lead until Bransford's triple.
Cleveland State transfer Macey Fegan recorded a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds, while Brew notched 12 points and Heard 10. Jessie Joaquim also had 11 boards.
Akron shot 36.7% from the field, while South Alabama was 40.8%. Both teams went 4-for-19 from deep, while USA outrebounded the Zips, 46-39.
Up Next
Akron will begin a four-game road stretch by traveling to George Mason on Thursday, November 5. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
Kailee Bransford hit a triple to take a one-point lead with 23 second left in the game — their first advantage since 2:29 remaining in the second quarter. However, the Jaguars scored a layup with less than two seconds left to seal the victory.
The Zips held the lead in most of the first quarter, but USA went on a 6-0 run to end the period and tie it up at 20-20.
Akron's lead grew to nine, 31-22, with 6:11 in the second on a Kaylah Thornton layup. However, the Jaguars recorded a 14-4 run to take a 36-35 lead with less than two minutes left in the half and ended with a 40-36 advantage.
South Alabama maintained their lead throughout the third quarter, ballooning it to 13, 53-40, halfway through the period. The Zips cut it to eight, 57-49, to end the stanza.
Slowly, Akron began to chip away at USA's lead in the fourth. The Zips used a Tyla Heard triple with 7:28 left to jump start an 11-2 run to pull within one, 65-64, with 4:25 remaining.
After two Jaguar free throws, a Shaena Brew layup and Bransford free throw knotted the game at 67-67 with 2:44 left. Both teams traded blows from there, with the Jaguars maintaining a one-possession lead until Bransford's triple.
Cleveland State transfer Macey Fegan recorded a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds, while Brew notched 12 points and Heard 10. Jessie Joaquim also had 11 boards.
Akron shot 36.7% from the field, while South Alabama was 40.8%. Both teams went 4-for-19 from deep, while USA outrebounded the Zips, 46-39.
Up Next
Akron will begin a four-game road stretch by traveling to George Mason on Thursday, November 5. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballTeam Stats
USA
UA
FG%
.408
.367
3FG%
.211
.211
FT%
.867
.813
RB
46
39
TO
18
14
STL
5
8
Game Leaders
Pts
17
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
11
Pts
12
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
6
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Tuesday, November 03
Monday, November 02
Wednesday, April 22
Wednesday, April 22
