The University of Akron Athletics
Zip Women Ready to Tackle No. 20/21 Xavier
December 22 | Women's Basketball
No. 20/21 Xavier Visits Akron in the JAR
For the second game in a row the Zips will renew an old in-state rivalry, welcoming the Musketeers of Xavier (No. 20 ESPN/Coaches, No. 21 AP) to the JAR for the Zips' second home game of the season. The two teams have not matched up since 1986, a 63-62 win by Akron. On Tuesday the Zips played at Ohio State, marking the first time those teams have met since 1990.
- Tonight's game marks the final game of 2000 for Akron. The Zips will take a break over the holidays before opening Mid-American Conference play on Jan. 3 at Bowling Green.
- This is the second of two games for Akron this week against Ohio opponents. In all Akron will play 13 games this season against teams from Ohio.
- UA is 1-3 against teams from the Buckeye State this season.
The Zips' lone victory was a 71-63 triumph over Wright State at the
Hawai'i Invitational. The three losses came at Youngstown State
(89-61), at Ohio State (100-35) and at home against Cleveland State
(87-62).
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- The last time the Zips played a nationally ranked team was last season. Akron faced Louisiana Tech at their own tournament, an 88-61 loss for the Zips.
About Xavier
The Musketeers bring a No. 20 ESPN/Coaches Poll and No. 21 AP ranking , as well as a 7-1 record into the JAR tonight. Their last win was a slim 92-89 victory over Middle Tennessee State on Dec. 15, while their sole loss was at in-state rival Cincinnati, 75-59, on Dec. 12.
Finland native Taru Tuukkanen has been the leading scorer and rebounder for Xavier this season, averaging 17.3 ppg and 8.6 boards per outing. The 6-3 senior posted a season-best 31 points against Middle Tennessee State on Dec. 15 and picked up 15 caroms in the season opener against Vanderbilt.
The scoring abilities of the Musketeers runs deep as four of the five starters are averaging in double figures. In addition to Tuukkanen, 6-3 center Jennifer Phillips is averaging 16.5 ppg, 5-9 guard Nicole Levandusky adds 15.8 ppg and 5-7 guard Reetta Piipari contributes 11.5 points per outing.
In 1999-00 Xavier set a school record for wins, posting a 26-5 record, and won its first-ever Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship. The team lost a heartbreaker in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to Stephen F. Austin, 73-72. Individually, Levandusky was named the MVP of the Atlantic 10 Tournament and was joined on the All-Atlantic 10 first team by Tuukkanen. Head coach Melanie Balcomb is in her sixth season with the Musketeers and enters tonight's game with a record of 99-57 at the school, 127-83 overall in eight years of coaching. She is assisted by Vicky Picott, Kristin Schneider and Toby Metoyer.
Last Time Out...
LaToya Turner with 20 points led five Ohio State players in double figures as the unbeaten Buckeyes defeated Akron, 100-35, on Tuesday (Dec. 19).
Lauren Shenk hit six 3-pointers and scored 19, while Tomeka Brown had 17, Courtney Coleman 16 and D'wan Shackleford 12 for Ohio State, which won its ninth straight game. Senior Jamie Scott led Akron with 12 points and nine rebounds.
The name of the game was turnovers as the Zips committed a season-high 40, compared to just 10 for Ohio State. The Buckeyes also had a distinct advantage at the free throw line, making 39 trips to the charity stripe to Akron's six.
"We're just not quite ready to play at this level," said Akron head coach Roxanne Allen. "Ohio State is a team with great size and athleticism and we thought we might be able to rise to the occasion."
The Buckeyes scored the first four points and never trailed. It was 52-15 at halftime. Emily Haynam's only basket of the game, with 1:24 to play, put Ohio State at the 100-point mark.
Ohio State had only a 31-27 rebounding edge, but was 35-for-60 for 58.3 percent from the floor, while Akron was 15-for-41 for 36.6 percent.
The Buckeyes did a good job of controlling the game inside, limiting Akron's All-America center Cheryl Bowles to just seven points, all of which came in the first half.
Martin Makes Her Move
Sophomore Sandy Martin has played her way back into Akron's starting lineup, posting a double-double in three of the last four games. Against Cleveland State on Dec. 5, Martin tossed in a career-high 15 points along with a then-career best 10 rebounds. In her next outing against Wright State at the Hawai'i Invitational, Martin scored 14 points and led UA with 10 rebounds. In the championship game of the Hawai'i Invitational against the host Rainbow Wahine, Martin added another 14 points and a career-high 11 boards. Over the four game span, she is averaging 12.0 ppg and 9.0 rpg and was named to the Hawai'i Invitational All-Tournament team, the first such honor in her career. In the six games prior she averaged 2.7 ppg and 4.5 rpg. Martin was also named the University of Akron Athlete of the Week on Dec. 11 for her efforts.
Career Night for Tylec
Maybe it was the sunshine and tradewinds, but sophomore Angela Tylec also posted the best game of her career in Hawai'i with a personal-best 17 points in the championship game against UH. Tylec was 8-of-12 from the floor to lead Akron is scoring and added a team-best three steals. Her previous career best was 12 points, set last year in the first-round MAC Tournament game at Buffalo. For the game, which was televised locally in Hawai'i, Tylec was named the Verizon Player of the Game.
All-Tournament Teams
Akron has played in two tournaments this season and two different Zips have been honored with all-tournament selections. At the Carrier Classic, Bowles garnered all-tournament honors, averaging 9.5 ppg and 7.5 rebounds per game. She picked up her second trophy at the Hawai'i Invitational and was joined by sophomore Sandy Martin who averaged 14.0 ppg and 10.5 rpg in the tournament.
Tournament Travels
The Zips participated in two regular-season tournaments this year, beginning with the Carrier Classic at Syracuse. The Zips finished 0-2 at the Classic with senior center Cheryl Bowles being named to the All-Tournament Team. Akron then travelled more than 4,000 miles to face in-state foe, Wright State, on Dec. 8, defeating the Raiders, 71-63. The Zips lost to host Hawai'i in the championship game, 67-54, finishing 1-3 in tournament games for the season. The Zips played in two tournaments last year, the Patriot Thanksgiving Classic (George Mason) and the State Farm Classic (Louisiana Tech). Akron went 1-3 in those tournament games, the lone victory a 74-58 win over Southeast Louisiana.
Serving It Up On The Hardwood
After a stellar four-year career with the Akron volleyball team, two-time All-MAC second team pick Julie McDivitt made her debut with Roxanne Allen's basketball squad Dec. 5 against Cleveland State. McDivitt made her first start at Ohio State and is averaging 8.5 minutes per game, 1.5 ppg and 0.5 rpg.
An outstanding athlete, McDivitt holds the Mid-American Conference record for career digs with 1,814 and is the first player in MAC history to record more than 1,000 digs, kills and assists in a career. At Windham High School, McDivitt was an All-Ohio First Team selection in basketball, as well as an All-America Honorable Mention pick.
Injury Rebounds...
Akron welcomes two Jamie's back into the fold as senior guard Jamie Krivak and senior forward Jamie Scott return to action in 2000-01. Both missed the 1999-2000 season with injuries.
Krivak started seven games and was second on the team in scoring before going down for the season with an ACL injury against Marist in December 1999. In 10 starts this season she is second on the squad in scoring at 7.8 ppg.
Scott is a surprise returnee after not having played a game since a season-ending knee injury on Feb. 6, 1999 at Miami. Scott is slowly recapturing the form that made her a dominating force underneath the basket. She led the Zips against Ohio State with 12 points and nine rebounds and has started four of 10 contests.
With the parade of injuries that defined 1999-2000, Akron also has junior guard Hollie Stephenson available for the first time in over a year. A sharp shooter, Stephenson has started five of 10 contests is tied with Krivak for the team lead in treys with six.
... and Injury Losses
Although the Zips return several players who spent last season on the injured reserve, several new Akron players have joined the ranks of the walking wounded. Junior Sierra Cooper is nursing a deep thigh bruise and her status is day-to-day. Senior forward Amanda Croston had a broken bone in her hand but recently had the cast removed and can start practicing next week. Senior guard Katie Hank suffered an injury to her kneecap against South Carolina and is out for a couple of weeks. Junior forward Felecia Bell has decided to have surgery to repair an ACL and is out for the season.
TO Troubles If there is one area on the court where the Zips have struggled this season it is in ball handling. With the graduation of All-MAC performers Abby Hoy and Erica Glover in the back court, the Zips have struggled to find a replacement bringing the ball up the court and have used several different combinations, including Jamie Krivak, Katie Hank, Katrina Carter and even Cheryl Bowles, in the roll. With freshman Carter still learning the college game and no other true points on the roster, Akron is averaging 26.6 turnovers a game and just 11.6 assists per game.
Preseason Predictions
Coming off an 11-17 campaign in 1999-2000, many have high hopes for this year's young Zip squad with the Mid-American Conference News Media Association picking Akron to finish third in the East Division. Kent State is picked to repeat as division champs, receiving 254 points and 33 of 37 first-place votes. Miami was second with 178 points and two first-place votes, followed by the Zips with 166 points and two first-place votes. Akron also received one vote to win the MAC Tournament.
In the West, defending champion Western Michigan is also favored to repeat with 202 points and 21 first-place votes. Right on its heels is Eastern Michigan with 163 points and 12 first-place votes. Rounding out the top three is Ball State with 144 points.
Bowles Preseason All-MAC
For the second season in a row, senior center Cheryl Bowles (Kansas City, Mo./Park Hill) was named to the Mid-American Conference's five-woman preseason All-MAC team. Last year Bowles lived up to the billing by becoming Akron's first-ever First-Team All-MAC selection. In 1999-2000 she led the team in scoring (17.8 ppg), rebounding (8.4 rpg), field goal percentage (194-351, .553) and blocked shots (28). As a sophomore she was a second-team All-MAC pick and was named to the All-Freshman squad in her first season.
All-America Honors
In addition to being the first Zip to earn first-team all-conference honors, Cheryl Bowles went one step further by becoming Akron's first All-America honoree, earning Kodak All-America Honorable Mention notice. She was one of four MAC players to earn the honor.
Zips Excel in the Classroom
Akron was named to the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's Academic Top-25 for the 1999-2000 season. The Zips came in at No. 16 with a team GPA of 3.267. Only two other MAC schools were among the top 25 with Toledo at No. 3 and Kent State in 18th.
Across the board the Zips have always taken pride in their academic performance. Senior Cheryl Bowles graduated in three years and is now spending her fourth year as a graduate student. Nine women posted a 3.0 or better for the Spring 2000 semester and Felecia Bell, Bowles, Sierra Cooper, Amanda Croston, Erica Glover, Katie Hank, and Kimberly Larson earned Academic All-MAC honors.
Freshman Faces
The Zips have received steady contributions from the two freshman on the 2000-01 squad, Katrina Carter and Kristy Booms. A guard, Carter has started four contests and has played in all nine. She is averaging 18.4 minutes a contest and is contributing 2.8 ppg. She is tied for the team lead in assists with 20 .
Booms has appeared in seven games off the bench, offering relief in the post for starters Cheryl Bowles and Jamie Scott. In 13.3 minutes a game, Booms is averaging 1.4 rebounds, as well as 3.0 points per outing.
Roaming the Sidelines
Akron also welcomes a new coach to the floor. Marla Cleveland begins her first season at Akron after two seasons as an assistant at Ashland University. Prior to that she spent three seasons as an assistant at her alma mater, Illinois State. From 1986-88 she was head coach of NCAA Division III Illinois Wesleyan University. She replaces Deana Bahhur who returned to her alma mater, John Carroll.
A New Crop
Head coach Roxanne Allen inked three players for the 2001-02 season during the early signing period in November.
At guard, Lindsay Hemmelgarn is a 5-8 1-2 guard from Versailles High school in New Weston, Ohio. As a junior hse averaged 11 points per game, 5.3 assists per game and was an all-league selection. She is ranked No. 1 in her class and sports a perfect 4.0 GPA.
A 5-8 point guard, Celina Dopoulos of Strongsville, Ohio earned first-team All-Pioneer Conference honors her junior season, averaging 14 points, five assists and 3.5 steals per game. She is a member of the President's Honor Roll with a 4.0 GPA.
A 6-2 post player, Cydney Overton (Hamilton, Ohio) led Badin High School to a 23-5 record and Division II state runner up notice. She was an honorable mention All-Butler County pick as she led her team in rebounding wtih an average of six boards per game.
About Head Coach Roxanne Allen
Now entering her fourth year at the helm of the Akron women's basketball program, head coach Roxanne Allen is beginning to see the fruits of her labor. Her first recruiting class is about to embark on its senior year and still carries the memory of what is was like to record a winning season and advance to the WNIT. With a rash of unexpected and debilitating injuries during the '99-'00 season behind them, the Zips are ready to reclaim that success that tasted so sweet the season before. In 2000-01, the Zips boast a returning cast that includes All-America candidate Cheryl Bowles, and six players with 87 starts among them. In 1998-99, UA earned the program's first-ever postseason national tournament bid by landing a spot in the WNIT. The Zips also set two school records by reaching the Mid-American Conference semifinals and for Division I victories with 16. Hoping to build upon that momentum in '99-'00, the Zips saw the loss of two starters, and a host of injuries to several of the other players turn the year into a frustrating 11-17 campaign, including a mark of 7-9 in the MAC. Despite the disappointment, Allen has the program miles ahead of where it was just three seasons ago.
Last year should have been a key year for us, but we got taken out of it early with all the injury problems, Allen said. Regardless, we have the core nucleus, and with the inexperienced players getting experience last year we are going to have some stability and scoring power.
A native of Elton, La., Allen was a two-sport athlete at Northeast Louisiana University, playing volleyball and being a pioneer member of the women's basketball program from 1972-74. After two seasons at NLU, she transferred to McNeese State, where she concentrated on basketball and earned her B.S. degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation in 1976.
Allen completed her master's degree at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, in 1988, while serving as an assistant volleyball coach.
MAC Moves to Gund
The Mid-American Conference women's basketball tournament has a new home for 2001 as the women will join the men's teams in playing at Gund Arena, home of the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers. Last season the women played their tournament at Public Hall in downtown Cleveland. Kent State won the championship with a 71-60 win over Toledo.
Quarterfinal games will be held on March 6, with semifinal action on March 9 and the championship game set for 1 p.m. on March 10. This will mark the second year that all 13 MAC schools participate in the tournament, after just eight teams qualified from 1992-99.
Also, the Mid-American Conference has announced that Kraft is the title sponsor of the 2001 tournament. The partnership, which is a two-year deal, is a fully integrated sponsorship consisting of television and print ads, signage and sampling opportunities. Additionally, Kraft will present two $1,000 educational scholarships to students currently enrolled at a MAC institution during halftime of the women's championship game.
Bowles Joins 1,000-Point Club; Nears Scoring Mark
In 1999-00, center Cheryl Bowles became just the seventh player in school history to go over 1,000 points for her career. Bowles now occupies the No. 2 spot as she has 1,480 points in 96 games. She needs just 65 points over the remainder of her career to reach the top spot. She was joined by teammate Abby Hoy who was the eighth player to join the 1,000-point club, finishing her Zip career with 1,056 points.
Bowles is currently the leading scorer among active players in the MAC. She is 26th overall as she continues to move up the chart.
