The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
5-17,2-8MAC
Toledo
11-9,6-4MAC
Akron Earns 77-74 Victory Over Toledo
February 04 | Women's Basketball
BOXSCORE (PDF) | POSTGAME COMMENTS
AKRON, Ohio -The University of Akron women's basketball team went into halftime tied with Toledo 35-35, but took control in the second half to knock off the Rockets, 77-74, at James A. Rhodes Arena on Wednesday (Feb. 4).
The Zips registered their first victory over Toledo since Jan. 26, 2019, when Akron earned a 70-64 overtime triumph.Â
The Zips had five players score in double figures, led by sophomore Ni'Rah Clark (Toledo, Ohio), who had 19 points and seven rebounds. Freshman Shaena Brew (Rialto, Calif.) tacked on 14 points, a career-high nine assists and three steals and sophomore Izzy Callaway (Copley, Ohio) chipped in as well with 13 points off the bench. Freshman Monique Mitchell (South Bend, Ind.) tallied 11 points, while junior Keiryn McGuff (Dublin, Ohio) contributed a 10-point and seven-rebound performance.
Akron took advantage of great ball movement in Wednesday's game, piling up 17 assists on 29 made field goals. Brew's nine assists led the distribution list for the Zips.
Akron forced 14 Toledo turnovers and turned those takeaways into 17 points on the offensive end of the floor. Brew's three steals led the way for Akron.
How It Happened
Akron entered the second quarter tied at 16-16 after a tightly contested first period. Akron did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 10 of its 16 points close to the basket.
The two teams then played an even second quarter as well and entered halftime with the score knotted up at 35-35. Akron was strong from deep in the period, knocking down three three-point shots to account for nine of its 19 points.
After intermission, Toledo snatched a 46-44 lead before Akron answered back by going on a 9-0 run to grab a 53-46 lead with 2:59 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Rockets had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Zips entered the fourth quarter with a 56-50 edge. Akron played well near the basket, scoring 12 of its 21 points in the paint.
Toledo proceeded to take a 63-61 lead before Akron went on a 6-0 run, finished off by McGuff's three, to seize a 67-63 lead with 4:35 to go in the contest. The Rockets narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Zips still held on for the 77-74 win. Akron fired away from deep in the quarter, knocking down three shots to account for nine of its 21 points.
Game Notes
» The Zips knocked down 10 of 20 shots from beyond the arc.
» Akron tallied 17 total assists in the game.
» The Akron bench came alive by adding 38 points to its scoring output.
» Five Akron players scored 10 or more points.
» Clark and Callaway came off the bench to score 19 and 13 points, respectively.
» The Akron defense forced 14 turnovers.
» Clark led the Zips with 19 points.
» Akron got seven rebounds from both Clark and McGuff.
Up Next
Akron welcomes Louisiana to the JAR for a 12 p.m. contest on Saturday (Feb. 7) as part of the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge.
