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AKRON, Ohio - In a contest marked by 12 lead changes, the Miami University women's basketball team was able to come out on top over Akron, 66-62, Wednesday evening at James A. Rhoades Arena. The victory improves the RedHawks' record to 10-18 (4-11 MAC) while the Zips fall to 9-17 (2-13 MAC).

Freshman Lauren Dickerson and sophomore Kendall McCoy paced MU with 17 points apiece with Kayla Brown chipping in 11 points. Akron senior Hannah Plybon led the Zips with 14 points.

The Red & White got some hot shooting early as McCoy connected on her first three attempts from the field, two of which came from beyond the arc. Combined with a layup and a three-pointer from Dickerson, Miami had itself a 13-6 lead at the first media timeout with 4:24 left in the opening period of action. The break marked a turning point in the quarter as the Zips came out and finished the frame on a 13-4 run to claim a 19-17 advantage through one quarter of play.

The second quarter was marked by a couple early lead changes but it was the RedHawks who were able to establish the advantage as time wore on. Molly McDonagh came alive offensively and poured in seven points in the frame to lead the effort. MU closed the final 4:43 of the half on a 13-5 run, which netted them a 36-29 margin after 20 minutes.

Following a make by McCoy to open the third quarter, the Zips ran off nine straight points to knot the game at 38-all, but that did not last long as a triple from McCoy had MU in front again, 41-38, at the media timeout. The teams traded blows over the next several minutes with Akron ultimately closing the quarter on a 7-2 run, giving it a 51-48 lead with 10 minutes to go.

A couple quick baskets on each side started things off in the fourth quarter but that was followed up by extended cold streaks for both teams, which sent them into the media timeout knotted at 54-all. With 1:25 to go, two Plybon free throws pulled the Zips ahead, 60-59, before a McCoy three-pointer gave MU the lead for good with just 35 seconds left in regulation. A Dickerson conversion at the charity stripe had the RedHawks up, 63-60, however an Akron layup with eights ticks remaining had the Zips within striking distance. Miami got three makes at the free throw line from Brown to seal the win.

Akron finished the game shooting 44.6 percent (25-of-56) from the field while the `Hawks hit 37.7 percent (23-of-61) of their attempts. The difference in the game came down to the free throw line. MU hit 13-of-16 while the Zips converted on just 7-of-14.

The Red & White finish the week on the road at Ohio for part two of the season's Battle of the Bricks series. Tip is set for 2 p.m. with the game slated to be aired live on ESPN3.