Box Score (PDF) | Coach Wright Postgame

AKRON, Ohio -- The 12th-seeded Miami University women's basketball used a gritty effort and led for the first two and a half quarters against fifth-seeded Akron in their first round Mid-American Conference Tournament game on Monday, but the Zips went on a 20-0 run late in the third quarter to eventually pull away for a 66-54 win. The RedHawks finish the season at 9-21, while Akron advances to the MAC Quarterfinals with an 18-12 record.

Freshman point guard Leah Purvis could not be stopped during the first half. She was 7-for-11 from the field, including going 4-for-6 from behind the arc for 18 points. Unfortunately foul trouble limited her to only nine minutes in the second half, which kept off the board the rest of the contest.

Purvis had the offense rolling to begin the game. She opened the scoring with a layup and drained two quick three-pointers to stake Miami to an 8-4 advantage. After Akron answered with a triple of its own, sophomore guard Ana Richter and Purvis hit back-to-back shots from behind the arc to make it 14-7 with 3:32 to go in the first quarter. The Zips scored the final five points of the period, but the Red and White ended the frame with a 14-12 advantage.

The Zips took the lead on a three-pointer to begin the second quarter, but Purvis' fourth triple of the game gave Miami the advantage right back. A layup by Purvis and a three-pointer from sophomore forward Kristen Levering made it 24-17 with 6:01 to go. Akron pulled to within two at 24-22, but sophomore guard Kayla Brown and Purvis each scored to make it a six point advantage. The Zips closed on a 4-1 run, but the RedHawks took a 29-26 lead into the break. Miami shot 37.0 percent (10-for-27) from the field during the first half, but was an impressive (6-for-13) from behind the arc. The RedHawks held the Zips to 32.4 percent (11-for-34) shooting. Miami kept the pressure up to begin the third quarter. Back-to-back jumpers by freshman forward Molly McDonagh, followed by two free throws from Richter gave the `Hawks their largest lead at 35-26 with 8:08 to go. An extended scoring drought ensued as Miami would not score again until the 2:20 mark when freshman guard Morgan Horvath hit a free throw. During that stretch Akron went on a 20-0 run to take a 46-35 lead. A jumper by Brown sent the RedHawks into the fourth quarter down 10, 48-38. Akron opened up the final period on an 8-1 run to take its largest lead at 56-39 with 8:15 to go. Miami did not give up as sophomore guard Jazz Smith hit a jumper and a three-pointer, while Brown and Levering each made baskets to close the deficit to 10 at 59-49 with 4:27 remaining. After a Zip free throw, two straight makes from Brown made it a seven point contest at 60-53 with 1:54 to go. Akron though would hit its free throws down the stretch, while the RedHawks shot went cold, allowing the Zips to escape with a 66-54 win. Brown finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a steal for Miami. McDonagh had six points and nine rebounds, while Levering and Smith each finished with six for the RedHawks. Akron was led by Anita Brown with 29 points.