Zips complete regular season series sweep of Golden Flashes

Akron completed a regular season series sweep of backyard rival Kent State with a 73-64 victory Saturday afternoon at James A. Rhodes Arena.

Senior forward Jordyn Dawson turned in yet another stellar performance for the Zips (13-8, 10-5 Mid-American Conference) with 30 points, eight rebounds, four assists, four steals and two blocks. She shot 12-of-22 from the floor while reaching 30 points for the third time this season.

Akron led by just one heading into the final quarter, but outscored the Golden Flashes 28-20 in the final period to earn its fourth consecutive victory.

The Flashes (16-8, 8-7) suffered their first loss of February after opening the month with six straight wins. They gave up a MAC season-high 73 points, allowing 70 or more against a conference foe for just the second time this season.

Sophomore guard Casey Santoro led Kent State with 17 points, hitting 3-of-6 3-pointers, while adding four rebounds and three assists. Junior guard Katie Shumate scored 15 points and grabbed six boards, but shot just 5-of-15 from the floor. Junior forward Nila Blackford added 10 points and eight boards, but hit just 4-of-12 field-goal attempts. The Flashes shot 36% from the field overall.

Dawson scored five points during an early 9-0 run that put the Zips up 13-5, and they never trailed again. Dawson wound up with nine in the first quarter, hitting 4-of-6 shots from the floor, while Kent State shot 4-of-15 from the field and trailed 18-10 at the first break.

Akron pushed the lead to 10 in the second quarter, but Shumate’s 11 first-half points helped bring her team within 36-31 at the intermission. Dawson was responsible for half of her team’s scoring in the opening two quarters with 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the floor.

The Flashes dug in defensively in the third quarter, allowing just nine points, and headed into the final period trailing just 45-44.

Dawson set the tone for the final quarter with a quick and-one, then drained a 3 from the top of the arc off the dribble to put Akron up 53-45. A Bass bucket pushed the lead back into double-digits, and the Zips stayed in front by six or more from that point on.

The Flashes had a last chance to make things interesting in the final minute, but a Santoro 3 that would have brought her team within three points spun off the rim.

Freshman forward Reagan Bass added 18 points and nine rebounds for Akron.

Kent State will play its third game during a stretch of five in 11 days on Monday, hosting Bowling Green (12-12, 7-8). Akron will also be back in action on Monday, hosting Ohio (13-10, 7-7),

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Akron defeated Kent State 73-64 on Saturday at James A. Rhodes Arena.