The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
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Eastern Michigan
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Johnson and Brew Record Double-Doubles in Akron's 77-62 Setback to Eastern Michigan
March 07 | Women's Basketball
BOXSCORE (PDF) | PHOTO GALLERY | POSTGAME COMMENTS
AKRON, Ohio - University of Akron senior Natalie Johnson (Waldorf, Md.) and freshman Shaena Brew (Rialto, Calif.) both recorded double-doubles, but Zips' women's basketball team fell to Eastern Michigan, 77-62, in the season finale for both squads on Saturday (March 7) at James A. Rhodes Arena.
Akron honored Johnson along with fellow seniors Kam'Ren Rhodes (Chandler, Ariz.), Liisa Taponen (Tampere, Finland) and Maddie Vejsicky (New Concord, Ohio) along with Dawson Bunner and Nolan Dobben in pregame ceremonies.Â
The Zips had three players score in double figures, led by sophomore Liz Murphy (Yackandandah, Australia), who had 15 points, six rebounds and two steals. Johnson added a double-double with 12 points and a career-high 11 rebounds, while Brew recorded a double-double with 11 points and and a career-best 10 rebounds.
Led by sophomore Ni'Rah Clark's (Toledo, Ohio) four offensive rebounds, Akron did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 12 boards that resulted in seven second-chance points.
The Akron defense held Eastern Michigan shooters to only 36.6 percent from the field, including 25 percent from three-point range.
How It Happened
Akron started out the scoring by going on a 10-0 run, culminating in a bucket from Johnson, to take an early lead with 5:20 left in the first quarter. The Zips entered the quarter break with a 15-6 advantage. Akron relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down three shots to account for nine of its 15 points.
Akron kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 5-0 run starting at the 2:01 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Vejsicky, to increase its lead to 28-22. The Eagles cut into that lead, but the Zips still enjoyed a 28-24 advantage heading into halftime. Akron dominated in the paint, scoring eight of its 13 points close to the basket.
Eastern Michigan assumed a 35-30 lead following intermission before Akron went on an 8-0 run, punctuated by a three from Brew, to grab a 38-35 lead with 5:11 to go in the third. Eastern Michigan responded to seize a 50-49 lead entering the fourth quarter. Akron played well near the basket, scoring 12 of its 21 points in the paint.
Eastern Michigan opened the final period on an 11-0 run and never trailed down the stretch as Akron could not pull any closer in the fourth, losing by a final of 77-62. Akron pulled down six offensive rebounds to score four second-chance points out of 13 total in the period
Game Notes
» Akron got double-doubles from both Johnson and Brew.
» The Zips held the Eagles to only 36.6 percent shooting from the field.
» The Akron bench added 19 points to its scoring output.
» Akron cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 12 offensive boards in the game.
» Murphy led the Zips with 15 points.
» Johnson nabbed 11 rebounds to lead Akron and Brew contributed 10.
