“Senior power forward Jolene Tamboue and point guard Ayla Guzzardo ended their careers on the Zips women’s basketball team with a 69-41 win over the Ohio Bobcats on senior night. It was a great win, great team effort; there were a lot of things on the line.”
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Senior power forward Jolene Tamboue and point guard Ayla Guzzardo ended their careers on the Zips women’s basketball team with a 69-41 win over the Ohio Bobcats on senior night.

It was a great win, great team effort; there were a lot of things on the line. We have played great at home. I would like to thank the A.K. Rowdies and fans for all they have done, Zips head coach Jodi Kest said.

Before the game started, the seniors were recognized on the court for everything they have accomplished.

Team manager Norbert Spivey was also represented at the game.

The Bobcats ended up taking an early two-to-nothing lead when Zips shooting guard Amber Witt fouled the Bobcats Jenny Poff, sending her to the free throw line.

Poff made both of her baskets.

Tamboue scored the first basket for the Zips with an easy layup, while small forward Kara Murphy gave the Zips their first lead of the game with a three pointer, putting the Zips up five to two.

The Bobcats fought back and took the lead one more time from the Zips with a three-pointer by Poff, but that would be the last time.

Akron went into halftime with the lead 37-18 after making 55 percent of their shots in the first half.

Going into the second half, the game belonged to the Zips, as the team played for the seniors.

Murphy started out the second half with a three-pointer, which put the Zips up 40-18. Akron would end up scoring the first seven points of the second half.

The Zips kept the Bobcats from scoring for the first four minutes and 46 seconds in the second half after Carolyn Barnett scored two points on a layup.

To end their careers, the Zips’ Tamboue and Guzzardo sat out the last minutes of the game and got a standing ovation. They were replaced on the court by Katie Bunba and Denver McLean.

Leading the offensive attack for the Zips was small forward Kara Murhy with 18 points.

Tamboue recorded her sixth double-double of the season scoring 12 points and 14 rebounds. Guzzardo ended up leading the Zips with five assists and nine points.

They came ready to play. They both played hard, they played smart. They believed in our system and took a chance when they came here, Kest said.

All 14 Zips scored at least two points. The Zips ended up 11-5 in the Mid American Conference and were 11-2 at James A. Rhodes arena this season.

Three Zips scored in double digits: Tamboue (12 pts), Murphy (18 pts) and power forward Rachel Tecca (10 pts).

Next week, the Zips will play in the MAC tournament at Quickens Loans Arena. With the win last night against the Bobcats, the Zips will get a first round bye in the tournament.

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