Nov. 19, 2004

Box Score

AKRON, OH -- - The University of Dayton women's basketball team jumped on the Akron Zips early and hung on to win the season opener, 66-56, behind a career-high 25 points from senior guard Emily Williams, Friday at Rhodes Arena in Akron. Junior transfer Cara Wright chipped in 14 points and 12 rebounds for her first double-double as a Dayton Flyer.

Williams scored UD's first nine points as the Flyers opened up a 9-2 lead. A three from Jennifer Strong made it 12-4, and after a bucket from the Zips, the Dayton defense held Akron scoreless for the next 5:15. A three-pointer from freshman guard Kiki Lund stretched the lead to 19-6.

Dayton led by as many as 15, up 26-11 before Akron used a 10-2 run to cut the deficit to 28-21. Junior Cara Wright stopped the run with a jumper in the paint. A pair of free throws and a three by Williams put UD back up by double-digits. Senior Leslie Burns connected on a high-arching shot from the elbow and Williams capped the half with a steal and a lay-up as the Flyers took a 39-26 lead into the break.

Williams scored 19 of her 25 points in the first half, on 7-of-12 from the field.

In the second, the Flyers opened with an 8-2 run to hold a 47-28 advantage with 15:05 to go. A free-throw by Burns put UD up 20, at 54-34, with 11:41 remaining. The Flyers maintained a 15-point margin by knocking down their free throws and getting eight second-half points from Wright.

The Zips got to the line to score with the clock stopped down the stretch, converting six-straight free-throws to trim the lead to 66-56 with 40 seconds remaining. But the Flyers held on for the win.

Dayton out-rebounded Akron 43-34, including 18 offensive boards and a career-high 12 total rebounds from Wright. UD also blocked four shots.

The Flyers open the home slate on Sunday as Chicago State visits UD Arena for an 11:50 a.m. tip-off. The game will be followed by the UD men's team taking on Eastern Kentucky at 2:00 p.m.