by AKRON, Ohio — Tyla Heard scored 10 points in a starting role, but Akron dropped its season opener 75-74 to South Alabama on Monday at James A. Rhodes Arena.
Heard, a junior guard, played 32 minutes and shot 4-of-9 from the field, including 1-of-4 from three-point range, with seven rebounds, three assists and three steals.
The game was tied 20-20 after one quarter, and South Alabama led 40-36 at halftime and 57-49 after three quarters before Akron won the fourth quarter 25-18 to nearly erase the deficit.
Akron’s late rally fell one point short as South Alabama held on for the one-point win in the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge opener.
Macey Fegan led Akron with 17 points and 12 rebounds, Shaena Brew added 12 points, and Jessie Joaquim scored eight points with 11 rebounds. CJ Wilson led South Alabama with 20 points.
Akron is now 0-1. The Zips travel to George Mason on Thursday, Nov. 5.
