AKRON (Interstat) — Jaida Redwine’s layup with 3.7 seconds remaining lifted South Alabama to a 75-74 victory over Akron in a women’s NCAA Division I game Monday at James A. Rhodes Arena. The Jaguars improved to 1-0, while the Zips fell to 0-1. Attendance was 524.

South Alabama opened the scoring when Julieta Ceja made a layup 28 seconds into the game, but Akron answered quickly. Shaena Brew made a driving layup, Teniesha Clarke added a layup, and Brew converted two free throws as the Zips moved in front. Jolie Mantz kept South Alabama close with 3-point shooting, and the Jaguars later tied the game on Deborah Orianegbena’s free throws with 11.7 seconds left in the opening quarter. Neither team created much separation early, and the lead changed hands repeatedly as both sides attacked the basket.

Akron began the second quarter with a 3-pointer from Kam’Ren Rhodes and a layup by Tyla Heard, but South Alabama responded through CJ Wilson. Wilson made consecutive layups and added a free throw, while Orianegbena and Ceja also scored inside. Mantz hit another 3-pointer to keep the Jaguars within striking distance, and Wilson’s jump shot with 1:59 remaining in the half put South Alabama ahead. After Heard made a free throw to tie the score, Jaida Redwine made a layup and Wilson closed the half with another layup as South Alabama took a 40-36 lead into the break.

The Jaguars extended their advantage in the third quarter. Esther Kursite made a layup, Wilson scored again, and Orianegbena added a layup as South Alabama pushed its lead to double digits. Mantz made a 3-pointer, and Ceja converted two layups during a run that gave the Jaguars a 53-40 cushion with 5:06 remaining in the third. Akron chipped away at the margin behind free throws from Jessie Joaquim, Brew and Macey Fegan, along with a layup by Monique Mitchell. Wilson answered with a jump shot for South Alabama, and the Jaguars led 57-49 after three quarters.

The fourth quarter produced a dramatic finish. Ceja opened the period with a layup, but Akron gradually cut into the lead. Clarke made a layup, Mitchell scored twice, and Heard made a 3-pointer to bring the Zips closer. Joaquim and Fegan made free throws, and layups by Kailee Bransford and Brew pulled Akron within one. Kursite made two free throws for South Alabama, but Brew answered with another layup. Bransford made one free throw to tie the game at 67 with 2:44 remaining. Wilson then made a jump shot and a free throw to put South Alabama ahead 70-67 with 2:28 left. Brew made two free throws for Akron, Kursite answered with a layup, and Fegan made two free throws to make it 72-71. Orianegbena made one free throw with 28.8 seconds remaining, but Bransford made a 3-pointer with 23.1 seconds left to give Akron a 74-73 lead. South Alabama then worked for the final shot, and Redwine made a layup with 3.7 seconds remaining to secure the win.

Macey Fegan led Akron with 17 points and 12 rebounds in 30 minutes. The 5-foot-11 forward from Bentley, Mich., who previously played at Standish Sterling, made several key free throws in the second half and helped the Zips stay competitive on the boards. CJ Wilson led South Alabama with 20 points, five rebounds and five assists in 27 minutes. Deborah Orianegbena added nine points and 12 rebounds in 29 minutes for the Jaguars.

Tyla Heard contributed 10 points, seven rebounds and three assists in 31 minutes for Akron. The 5-foot-11 guard, who previously played at Sapulpa HS, made a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter that helped fuel the Zips’ comeback. Jessie Joaquim added eight points and 11 rebounds in 27 minutes for Akron. The 6-foot-2 forward, who previously played at Cochise College, also made two free throws late in the third quarter. Jolie Mantz scored 16 points in 31 minutes for South Alabama and added four rebounds and one assist. Shaena Brew had 12 points, one rebound and four assists in 23 minutes for Akron. The 5-foot-6 guard, who previously played at Etiwanda High School, made consecutive layups in the fourth quarter to help erase South Alabama’s lead. Julieta Ceja added 12 points, four rebounds and three assists in 39 minutes for South Alabama. Monique Mitchell scored nine points and grabbed two rebounds in 17 minutes for Akron. The 5-foot-11 guard previously played at George Washington High School. Esther Kursite had six points and three rebounds in nine minutes for South Alabama.

South Alabama shot 29 of 71 from the floor and 4 of 19 from 3-point range. Akron shot 22 of 60 overall and 4 of 19 from beyond the arc. The Jaguars made 13 of 15 free throws, while the Zips converted 26 of 32. South Alabama had 14 offensive rebounds to Akron’s 11. The Jaguars finished with five assists and 18 turnovers. Akron had eight assists and 14 turnovers. South Alabama scored 75 points from 82 possessions for an offensive rating of 91.3. Akron scored 74 points from 78 possessions for an offensive rating of 94.6.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of South Alabama 68, Akron 65. Interstat’s ELO system had projected South Alabama with a 71.9 percent probability to win.