Basketball Recap: Molly O'neil's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Akron over Byers

Akron was the 45-32 winner over Byers when they last played one another on February 7th, but their luck changed this time around. The Akron Rams took a 47-43 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Byers Bulldogs.

Molly O'Neil

Rebounds

12/14/24 vs Heritage Christian	21
01/11/25 @ Stratton	17
02/22/25 @ Briggsdale	16
02/25/25 @ Byers	14
02/07/25 @ Byers	14
+ 16 more games

Akron's defeat came despite a true team effort with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Molly O'Neil, who dropped a double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds. O'Neil is becoming a predictor of Akron's success: when she posts at least ten boards the team is 9-4 (and 2-6 when she doesn't). The team also got some help courtesy of Kashlee Randel, who posted 17 points and six rebounds.

Even though they lost, Akron smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 15 offensive boards. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Byers only nine offensive rebounds.

Byers was led to victory by Averie Eymann and Abi Green. Eymann earned 13 points, while Green had seven points and 11 boards. The dominant performance gave Green a new career-high in rebounds.

Akron's loss dropped their record down to 11-10. As for Byers, they are on a roll lately: they've won three of their last four matchups. That's provided a nice bump to their 14-7 record this season.

Akron will welcome Holyoke at 8:45 a.m. on Friday. Akron is facing Holyoke at the right time seeing as Holyoke is stuck on a 13-game losing streak. As for Byers, they will take on Merino in a tournament on Friday. Merino will roll in looking for their fifth straight win, something Byers surely won't give up without a fight.