Written by: Zack West

The University of Akron women’s basketball team improved to 4-1 with a 81-78 win over the Providence Friars on Saturday.

The Zips dominated by shooting 50 percent from the field, going 27-54, and 45.5 percent from the three-point line.

However, the Friars hung around by getting 31 offensive rebounds that led to 26 second-chance points.

The Zips trailed throughout the first half by as many as 14 but tied the game at 37.

They went into the break off a three from Hanna Luburgh after a 12-2 run.

The Zips came out of halftime with a 7-0 run to take their first lead of the game.

The Friars (1-4) and the Zips went back and forth throughout the remainder of the game, with the Zips leading by as much as 10.

At 31 seconds left in the game, the Zips had a seven point lead.

The Friars came up with a quick five points to make it a two-point game, with five seconds left.

After a quick foul, Taylor Ruper split two foul shots, and time ran out on Providence.

Luburgh led the game with 28 points, 18 of them in the first half.

Sina King posted her third double-double, with 17 points and 10 rebounds.