Third quarter drought hurts women's basketball in loss to Akron
Looking to make a push for the Mid-American Conference tournament, Central Michigan women’s basketball (4-20, 2-13) faced the streaking Akron Zips in James A. Rhodes Arena.
However, a fast start wasn’t enough to sustain the Chippewas through a third-quarter slump as Akron (12-8, 9-5) secured a 67-54 win on Wednesday.
The loss pushes CMU’s losing streak to six games for the second time this season.
Facing the current three-seed in the MAC tournament, the Chippewas looked to senior center Jahari Smith in the paint for an advantage. Smith found success around the rim and notched six points in the first.
Once the Zips started focusing on the interior, CMU let it fly from three-point land. Freshman Tiana Timpe buried her first look seconds after checking into the game and the Chippewas were off and running.
With Akron struggling to make a shot, junior Molly Davis kept her foot on the gas, notching nine points in the first 10 minutes. As a result, CMU went into the second quarter ahead 20-13.
The Chippewas momentum continued into the second as they extended their lead to 13 points. However, Akron senior Jordyn Dawson put the Zips on her back.
After hitting the 26-point mark CMU’s offense fell silent, as Akron strung together a 14-0 run to take a one-point lead with 2 minutes remaining until halftime. But two quick threes put the Chippewas ahead 32-29 as the teams headed to the locker room.
The Zips struck first in the third quarter and sent CMU into a tailspin. Akron ratcheted up the defensive intensity and turned its aggression into a 14-0 run.
Although they still hadn’t connected on a 3-point shot, the Zips stretched their lead while the Chippewas looked for an answer on offense.
With 5 minutes remaining in the third, CMU notched its first basket of the second half on a layup from freshman Lisa Tesson. However, the damage was done as the home crowd pushed Akron to a 51-40 lead ahead of the final 10 minutes.
Unfazed by an 0-for-8 start from deep, the Zips opened the fourth quarter attacking the 3-point line. With all facets of its offense clicking, Akron pushed the lead to 17 points.
The Chippewas tried to mount a comeback, but Dawson willed the Zips past CMU down the stretch to secure the season sweep.
Dawson led all players with 29 points, 13 rebounds and four steals.
In addition to recording her tenth double-double of the year, Smith drove the attack for CMU finishing with 18 points and 11 rebounds while shooting 8-for-13 from the field.
Tesson was close behind with 11 points, five rebounds and three assists. Davis finished with nine points, two rebounds and two assists.
Akron recorded 40 points in the paint compared to 28 for the Chippewas.
CMU takes on Eastern Michigan in McGuirk Arena on Saturday at 1 p.m.
