The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Central Michigan
Zips Hit Road for Rematch with Central Michigan
January 22 | Women's Basketball
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GAME NOTES NO. 18 AKRON AT CENTRAL MICHIGAN (1/23) (PDF)
Akron (10-7, 4-2 MAC) at Central Michigan (10-7, 4-2 MAC)
Saturday, Jan. 23
McGuirk Arena (5,300)
Mount Pleasant, Mich. • 1 p.m.
Live Stats: www.cmuchippewas.com
Webstream: www.cmuchippewas.com
Radio: SportsRadio 1350 AM (WARF) in Akron (flagship), for free at SportsRadio1350.com and on iHeartRadio. Bill Morgan will have the call starting with the pre-game show starting at 12:50 p.m.
Television: ESPN3
What's Ahead
Akron seeks to extend its three-game winning streak on Saturday, Jan. 23, as the Zips travel to Mount Pleasant, Mich., to square off against Central Michigan in a 1 p.m. tilt.
A Look at Central Michigan
Central Michigan (10-7, 4-2 MAC) comes into play this Saturday, Jan. 23, having won three of their last five games, after posting a 72-58 victory at Miami on Wednesday, Jan. 20. Freshman Presley Hudson and sophomores Cassie Breen and Tinara Moore are leading the Chippewas' offensive exploits this season averaging 15.4, 13.3 and 11.4 points, respectively. Moore is Central Michigan's leading rebounder pulling down 9.8 rebounds per game. The Chippewas are posting 76.2 points per contest, while holding its opponents to a 67.8 scoring average. Central Michigan is connecting on nearly 42 percent (.418) of its shots from the field, while dialing long distance at a 33.4-percent clip. The Chippewas are leading the Mid-American Conference this season in scoring (76.2), free throw percentage (.755), offense rebounding (45.5) and defensive rebounding (30.9), while rating second in three point percentage (.334), rebounding margin (+6.5), offensive rebounding (14.5) and triples per game (7.8). In league-only affairs, Central Michigan paces the conference in scoring (81.7), free throw percentage (.779), rebounding offense (48.2) and defensive rebounding (32.7), while ranking second in scoring margin (+13.0), field goal percentage (.440), assists (17.2), assist/turnover ratio (1.2) and three pointers made (8.0).
Series History
Akron will be meeting Central Michigan for the 37th time in program history with the Chippewas leading the all-time series, 20-16. Central Michigan registered a 97-77 triumph over the Zips on Jan. 9 at James A. Rhodes Arena.
The Coaches
Central Michigan: Sue Guevara is in her ninth season leading the Central Michigan program, owning a 140-131 (.517) record. Overall in 16 years as a head coach she maintains a 263-213 ledger (.553).
Akron: In her 10th year on the Akron sidelines as head coach, is Jodi Kest, who has a 152-146 mark (.510), including 378-299 (.558) overall, in her 24th year as a head coach.
Akron Fires Past Toledo, 81-71
Akron on the strength of a 29-point, nine-rebound performance from senior Anita Brown (Warren, Ohio) withstood a talented Toledo squad en route to earning an 81-71 victory over the Rockets at James A. Rhodes Arena on Wednesday, Jan. 20.
The triumph extended the Zips' winning streak to three straight, while also ending Toledo's four-game stretch.
Brown finished one rebound shy of registering her team-leading fifth double-double. Junior Hannah Plybon (Orrville, Ohio) added 20 points, while senior teammate DiAndra Gibson (Ravenna, Ohio) chipped in a 15-point, six-rebound and three-assist performance. Sophomore Greta Burry (Lakewood, Ohio) contributed eight points and recorded a career-high 14 boards for the Zips.
Three Rockets scored in double figures led by Brenae Harris' 26 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
Akron forced Toledo into 19 turnovers and finished the contest with a 21-11 edge in points off turnovers and had a slight 43-42 advantage on the glass.
Senior Megan Barilla (Fairview Park, Ohio) distributed a team-high six assists for Akron, while sophomore Lauren Hung (Waterford, Mich.) added six points off the bench.
The Zips stroked the ball at a 40.7-percent clip on the night, while the Rockets shot 39.1 percent from the field.
Brown and Plybon Spark Akron Over Buffalo, 69-61
Anita Brown and Hannah Plybon combined to score 49 points to spark Akron to a 69-61 road victory past Buffalo on Saturday, Jan. 16.
Brown scored a game-high 26 points and added a team-best 10 rebounds to notch her team-leading fourth double-double of the season, while Plybon tallied 23 points.
A 13-point, 11-rebound effort from Cassie Oursler directed the Bulls, while Joanna Smith and Stephanie Reid recorded 16 and 11 points, respectively.
The Zips finished the affair shooting 39 percent from the floor, while holding Buffalo to a 29.2-percent mark from the field in the game.
The Bulls outrebounded Akron, 46-43, including 17-10 on the offensive glass, and used that advantage to post a 23-10 margin in second-chance points.
Megan Barilla distributed a team-high four assists for the Zips.
IN OUR LAST MEETING
Central Michigan def. Akron, 97-77 (Jan. 9, 2016)
AKRON, Ohio - DiAndra Gibson poured in a career-high 21 points and Megan Barilla dished out eight assists, but Mid-American Conference West Division opponent Central Michigan proved to be too much for Akron in a 97-77 loss Jan. 9, at James A. Rhodes Arena.
The Zips fell behind early in the second half and were unable to play catch-up in what proved to be a shootout between two of the highest-scoring teams in the league.
Gibson started the game scoring Akron's first 14 points giving the Zips an early lead. She finished the game going 5-for-9 from beyond the arc. Hannah Plybon followed that lead, posting 17 points and two assists.
Anita Brown also chipped in 14 points and a team-high seven rebounds, while junior Alex Ricketts (Mercer, Pa.) added nine points for the Zips.
Central Michigan placed two players in double figures offensively, led by a 35-point and 20-rebound performance from Tinara Moore, who was a perfect 16-for-16 from the field.
Akron was held to 40.0 percent shooting from the field for the game, against CMU's 58.8 percent shooting clip. The Chippewas outrebounded the Zips, 40-29, including 29-18 on the defensive glass, and outscored Akron in the paint, 53-26.
Zips Find Early Road Success in MAC Play
For the first time in program history Akron has come out victorious in its initial three conference road games this season. The Zips have registered triumphs over Eastern Michigan (68-65 in OT), Bowling Green (71-55) and Buffalo (69-61). Anita Brown and Hannah Plybon have led Akron averaging 21.3 and 20.0 points per game. DiAndra Gibson is recording 9.7 points and 9.7 rebounds in league road contests, while Greta Burry is posting 10.0 points and 9.0 rebound per tilt.
News, Notes and Story lines
• Hannah Plybon owns a team-best 11.0 scoring average in four career games versus Central Michigan, while Lauren Hung and Anita Brown have recorded 8.0 and 7.7 points in six and two contests, respectively, against the Chippewas.
• The Zips own a 5-0 record in mid-week games this season, including holding road triumphs over Valparaiso, Eastern Michigan and Bowling Green.
• When Akron visited Bowling Green it faced a MAC East squad for the initial time this season, marking the first time since the 1998-99 campaign in which Akron has played a Eastern Division foe for the first time in the fourth league game or later.
• The Zips' 68-65 overtime triumph over Eastern Michigan marked the 375th victory in the coaching career of Jodi Kest.
• Akron's 71-55 win at Bowling Green marked the 150th for head coach Jodi Kest while leading the Zips.
• Akron's overtime victories past Eastern Michigan (Jan. 6) and Northern Kentucky (Dec. 19) marked the first time in program history in which the Zips have won multiple overtime contests in a single campaign.
• Akron enters contest versus Central Michigan on Saturday, Jan. 23, having won 48 of its last 66 games dating back to the 2013-14 campaign.
• Anita Brown entered the 2015-16 campaign as the Zips' active leader in career scoring. She will enter Akron's game with Toledo having amassed 1,239 points and has shot nearly 45 percent (.449) from the field and at a 37.4-percent clip from beyond the arc.
• Anita Brown is ranked seventh in career scoring at Akron with 1,239 career points. She is 306 points shy of surpassing Pam Arnold (1984-88) for sixth all-time in the Zips' record book.
• Greta Burry is shooting 52.6 percent from the field for her career having made 81 of her 154 shots.
• Megan Barilla leads Akron in assists distributing a team-best 5.5 dimes per game. Over the past two seasons she had posted 202 assists.
• The Zips have won 20 or more games in each of the last three seasons.
• With its win against Bowling Green (March 7), Akron surpassed the 2012-13 squad for the most regular season victories (22) in program history.
• The Zips' 12 league wins represented the second-best single-season mark in program history.
• With its 67-55 triumph over Miami (March 4), Akron's established a new school record for home wins in a season (13).
• The Zips have won 10 or more home games in four of the last six seasons under head coach Jodi Kest.
• With its triumph at Kent State (Feb. 25), Akron registered its third-consecutive 20-win season. On the strength of the win, Akron currently owns the longest active streak among league teams of winning 20 or more games having done so in each of the previous three campaigns (2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15).
• Akron posted the second-, third-, third-, third-, third-, fourth-, fourth-, fourth- and fifth-best single-season marks in program history in winning percentage (.710), assists (508), field-goal percentage (.435), scoring average (74.4), three-pointers made (205), points scored (2,307), field goals made (858), triples attempted (596) and three-point percentage (.344).
• Akron's 10-game winning streak to begin last season represented the second-longest such streak in program history.
On This Date in Akron Women's Basketball History
The Zips will be playing for the 10th time in program history on Jan. 23 when Akron battles Central Michigan on Saturday. The Zips own victories over Cedarville (76-56 in 1982), Ball State (79-77 in 2OT in 1999), Western Michigan (58-44 in 2010) and Ohio (80-56 in 2014).
Akron Notes
• Since opening the season with a 1-4 ledger, the Zips have posted a 7-3 mark in their last 10 games, including a 5-1 record in games in December.
• Akron has won five straight true road games dating back to an 85-74 decision past Valparaiso on Dec. 9. It marks the Zips longest such streak since rolling off seven consecutive true road wins during the 2013-14 campaign.
• Akron has responded following each of its seven losses this season as three Zips are averaging double figures in these games while outscoring its opponents by 10.0 tallies per outing. Akron owns a 5-2 mark in these contests. Anita Brown, Hannah Plybon and Greta Burry are posting 20.3, 16.3 and 11.9 points per contest, while DiAndra Gibson is recording 9.4 points and a team-best 8.9 rebounds per tilt.
• In the Zips' nine games away from James A. Rhodes Arena this season Anita Brown is averaging 24.4 points per contest.
• DiAndra Gibson (15) and Megan Barilla (10) established new single-game scoring marks in Akron's victory over UCF.
• Seven Zips set career-best numbers against Rochester College, including redshirt freshman Megan Sefcik (Austintown, Ohio) (6), sophomores Lauren Hung (12), Greta Burry (18) and Kaitlyn Flowers (Lompoc, Calif.) (2) and juniors Alex Ricketts (9) and Sophia Simone (Silver Lake, Ohio) (6) registering career-best efforts in scoring.
• The 103 points scored against Rochester College, Dec. 2, marked the fourth-highest single-game point total in program history. Seven of the top-10 single-game scoring outputs have occurred under 10th-year head coach Jodi Kest.
• Seven players in Anita Brown (17), Hannah Plybon (15), Greta Burry (7), DiAndra Gibson (7), Alli Ball (St. Louis, Mo.) (2), Megan Barilla (1) Lauren Hung (2) have scored in double figures for the Zips this season.
• Anita Brown is averaging a team-best 8.7 points in the first half of games this season, while Greta Burry is shooting 50.0 percent (30-60) in the initial 20 minutes of the Zips' tilts on the campaign.
• In the second half of games this season, Anita Brown leads the offensive efforts for Akron averaging 12.9 points. As a team, the Zips are shooting 42.3 percent from the field in the final 20 minutes of their 17 contests this season.
• Hannah Plybon connected on five three pointers in the Zips' 68-65 victory versus Eastern Michigan marking the 10th time in her career in which has made five triples in a game.
• Akron's 62 rebounds against Winthrop marked the ninth-best single-game performance in program history.
• Greta Burry and Alli Ball registered their first career double-doubles at Florida Atlantic.
• The Zips' +31 rebounding advantage against Youngstown State was the largest margin for Akron this season and most for the Zips since outrebounding Bowling Green, 56-32, in the 2014-15 regular season finale on March 7, 2015.
• Akron's 22 offensive rebounds at Florida Atlantic and at home versus Winthrop equaled the top-performance for the Zips during the entire 2014-15 campaign. Akron pulled down 22 offensive caroms in a 79-71 victory at Bowling Green on March 7, 2015.
• Akron equaled or outrebounded its opponent in 15 consecutive games before being bettered on the boards, 39-37, versus Florida Gulf Coast.
• Anita Brown was selected as the Mid-American Conference East Women's Basketball Player of the Week, the league announced on Nov. 17. Brown directed Akron's efforts in the Zips' 91-77 setback at Florida Atlantic on Nov. 13, registering a team-high 27 points.
• Anita Brown was selected as the Mid-American Conference East Women's Basketball Player of the Week, the league announced on Dec. 14. Brown turned in a big week for the Zips averaging 25.0 points and 6.5 rebounds en route to shooting 50 percent from the field in a pair of road games for Akron.
• Anita Brown pulled down a then career-high 13 rebounds, respectively, against Winthrop, while Greta Burry scored a then career-best 16 points.
• Greta Burry's eight offensive rebounds against Florida Atlantic equaled the top single-game performance last season by a Zip, set by Anita Brown, who pulled down eight offensive boards in an 80-49 triumph over Binghamton.
• Anita Brown and Hannah Plybon own 24 and 11 career 20-point performances after Brown and Plybon poured in 29 and 20 points, respectively, versus Toledo
• The Zips have won 30 of their last 37 games at the James A. Rhodes Arena, including a 5-3 mark this season.
• Akron is 8-2 this season when scoring 70 or more points.
• Akron equaled a school record connecting on 13 three-pointers in its win at Central Michigan on Jan. 24, 2015. The Zips' effort matched the 13 triples Akron drained versus the Chippewas on Feb. 21, 2005.
• Anita Brown's 36 points against Toledo (Jan. 14) last season represented the fourth-highest single-game scoring effort in program history, while Megan Barilla notched the ninth-best performance for assists with 10 dimes.
• Since 2010, Akron has surpassed the 100-point plateau in scoring on nine occasions, including versus Valparaiso and Toledo last season. The Zips' record all-time when scoring 100 or more is 11-0.
• The Zips' 100-65 win over Valparaiso marked the 350th in the coaching career of Kest.
• The Zips made their fourth postseason appearance in the last six years last season, advancing to the Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT). The Zips ended their postseason run with an 86-68 loss at Kansas State.
• Kest, now in her 10th season at the helm of the program, has collected the most wins of any Akron women's basketball head coach in the history of the program.
Brown Fuels Zips' Attack
Anita Brown has been the catalyst for the Zips' offense this season averaging a team-best 21.9 points per contest. She has surpassed the 20-point plateau in all but four games this season. Brown has now scored in double figures in each of the last 26 contests for the Zips, including scoring 20 or more points in 16 of the 26 tilts.
Barilla Dropping Dimes Sparks Akron
Megan Barilla is off to an impressive start distributing the ball for the Zips averaging a team-high 5.5 assists per game. She has recorded four or more dimes in each of Akron's 17 contests this season and on 31 occasions dating back to the start of the 2014-15 campaign. She is on pace to own the third-best single-season assist average in program history.
Burry Ups the Ante for the Zips
Greta Burry has delivered for the Zips this season after earning a starting role to begin the campaign. As a freshman, Burry appeared in 23 games for Akron averaging 1.5 points and 1.3 rebounds per night. Through 17 games this season, Burry has posted 9.2 points and 7.4 rebounds a game, while shooting 51.2 percent from the field.
Brown Earns Accolades
Anita Brown was named the Zips' Student-Athlete of the Week, presented by The University of Akron, Ohio's Polytechnic University. Additionally, she was tabbed by CollegeSportsMadness.com as its Mid-American Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Week on Dec. 21.
Barilla Among Elite Company With Triple-Double
Megan Barilla's 10-point, 10-rebound and 10-assist effort against UCF marked the first triple-double for a Zips since the NCAA Division I record book began for following the 1985-86 campaign. The triple-double also represents the 12th by a player from the current 12 members of the Mid-American Conference over the same span. The 10-point and 10-rebound efforts established new career-high marks, while she matched her career-best 10 assist performance in a 102-101 victory last season at Toledo.
Brown Joins 1,000-Point Club
Anita Brown joined the 1,000-point club at Akron when she connected on a three pointer at the 6:54 mark of the fourth quarter in the Zips' 74-54 victory over UCF on Dec. 5. She will enter the Central Michigan contest with 1,239 career points.
Akron Hosts Third-Annual Education Day
The University of Akron women's basketball team held its third-annual Education Day on Nov. 20, as the Zips hosted Winthrop in the opening game of the Akron Classic.
Nearly 1,000 fifth-grade students attended, which marked the largest class yet in the event's three years of existence. Students came from all across Akron with nearly 20 schools attending.
Students had pre-, in-, and post-game "homework" that they will complete based on the outcome of the game. Questions were integrated into the assignments relating to the game of basketball for example: score at halftime, leading scorer, scoring percentages, etc. as well as a portion about promoting an active and healthy lifestyle.
Zips Add Six the 2016 Recruiting Class
The University of Akron women's basketball team, under the leadership of 10th-year head coach Jodi Kest, has announced the addition of six student-athletes joining the Zips' squad for the 2016-17 campaign.
Donning the Akron uniform next season will be Alyssa Clay (Indianapolis, Ind./Pike), Shaunay Edwards (Pittsburgh, Pa./Seton LaSalle), Shayna Harmon (Ashville, Ohio/Teays Valley), Brooke Kurucz (Parkersburg, W.Va./Parkersburg), Haliegh Reinoehl (Westfield, Ind./Westfield) and Caitlin Vari (Richfield, Ohio/Revere), who have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Zips' program for the 2016-17 campaign.
A 5-8 guard from Pike High School in Indianapolis, Ind., averaged 11.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists per contest as a junior en route to earning honorable mention all-state accolades. She has helped guide the Red Devils to back-to-back sectional championships and was tabbed to the 2015 Indiana Junior All-Star team. A strong student, Clay owns a 4.45 grade-point average and is the top-ranked student in her graduating class.
A 5-3 guard, Edmonds averaged 11.0 points, 8.0 assists, 6.0 steals and 4.0 rebounds per contest as a junior at Seton LaSalle High School in Pittsburgh, Pa. The 27th-rated point guard in the country by ESPN HoopGurlz rankings, she helped lead the Rebels to a state championship as a freshman in 2013 and a runner-up performance as a sophomore in 2014. She was named the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League championship game most valuable player as a junior.
A 5-9 guard from Teays Valley High School in Ashville, Ohio, Harmon recorded 20.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 4.8 steals a game as a junior en route to earning All-Ohio special mention honors. She has garnered recognition as the 25th-rated guard in the country by Prospects Nation and is ranked 74th nationally by ESPN HoopGurlz. She was selected as the Ohio District 10 Player of the Year in 2015.
A 5-9 guard out of Parkersburg High School in Parkersburg, W.Va., Kurucz posted 18.5 points and 5.8 rebounds as a junior en route to earning third-team All-State and first-team all-conference accolades in 2015.
A 6-2 forward from Westfield, Ind., Reinoehl averaged nearly a double-double as a junior for Westfield High School registering 12.2 points and 9.1 rebounds per contest. An honorable mention All-State and first-team all-county selection in 2015, she is the 46th-rated forward in the country by ESPN HoopGurlz.
A 6-1 forward out of Revere High School in Richfield, Ohio, Vari was named an honorable mention All-Ohio recipient as a junior after averaging 12.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. Additionally, she was selected as an all-county honoree in 2015.
King Earns Her Crown
Sina King became only the second Zips' player to be named the Mid-American Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Year with her selection as the league's top player for the 2014-15 campaign.
She led the conference in scoring (20.3), rebounding (9.3) and defensive rebounding (6.8), while ranking third in three-point shooting (.382), sixth in field-goal percentage (.478) and in free-throw percentage (.789).
She scored in double figures in all 31 games en route to posting a league-best 16 double-doubles.
In conference-only affairs, she rated first in scoring (20.7) and three-point percentage (.407), and second in rebounding (9.3), while shooting 47.5 percent from the floor (sixth in the MAC).
King capped her career with 888 rebounds and 1,634 points, the third- and fourth-highest totals in program history, while playing in 124 career games.
Three Zips Earn All-MAC Honors
Led by Sina King, who was tabbed as first-team All-Mid-American Conference women's basketball selection, three Akron student-athletes garnered all-conference accolades during the 2014-15 season.
Anita Brown and Hannah Plybon were tabbed second- and third-team selections, respectively.
A second-team honoree as a sophomore and a third-team selection during her junior campaign, King started all 31 games for the Zips last season, registering team- and conference-best marks in scoring (20.7) and rebounding (9.3).
Assuming a spot in the Zips' starting line-up last season for the first time, Brown stepped into Akron's rotation and responded averaging 18.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per contest. She scored in double figures in 28 games and shot 47.3 percent from the floor.
In league-only affairs, Brown registered 16.9 points and 6.8 rebounds a night, while connecting on 43.1 percent of her shots from the field.
A starter in all 31 games on the campaign, Plybon connected on a school-record 97 three-pointers, while shooting 37.3 percent from beyond the arc. She ranked third on the team in scoring (13.2), fourth in assists (60) and fifth in steals (24) and scored in double figures in 18 games, including five contests recording 20 or more points.
Zips Over the Last Five Games
A trio of Zips are averaging double figures in scoring over Akron's last five games as the threesome of Anita Brown, Hannah Plybon and DiAndra Gibson have posted 21.4, 19.4 and 13.0 points a night en route to leading the Zips to a 4-1 mark. Akron is shooting 37.8 percent from the field, while its opposition is connecting with a 38.6-percent shooting mark from the floor. Greta Burry paces Akron in rebounding averaging 9.2 caroms a night, while Megan Barilla owns a team-best 28 assists.
Akron in Close Games
Akron has been involved in 54 games decided by five points or fewer under head coach Jodi Kest. A breakdown of those matches is as follows; one-point difference (9-8), two-point difference (10-4), three-point difference (2-4), four-point difference (4-5) and five-point difference (2-6).
Zips' Offensive Progress Report
In Akron's 17 games this season, this is how the Zips have fared from the field: 50 percent: NA, 40 percent: . 476 (Valparaiso), .476 (UCF), .457 (Rochester College), .426 (Northern Colorado), .423 (Florida Atlantic), .419 (Youngstown State), .412 (Bowling Green-1), .411 (Northern Kentucky), .407 (Toledo), .400 (Central Michigan-1), .400 (San Diego), 30 percent: .397 (Florida Gulf Coast), .390 (Buffalo-1), .348 (Northern Illinois), .347 (Winthrop), .310 (Northern Iowa), 20 percent: .299 (Eastern Michigan-1).
Akron's Defensive Progress Report
In the Zips' 17 games this season, this is how Akron's opponents have fared from the field: 50 percent: .588 (Central Michigan-1), .540 (San Diego), 40 percent: .467 (Florida Atlantic), .458 (Valparaiso), .407 (Northern Illinois), 30 percent: .393 (Northern Colorado), ..391 (Toledo), .391 (Florida Gulf Coast), .365 (Eastern Michigan-1), .365 (Northern Kentucky), .343 (UCF), .307 (Winthrop), 20 percent: .295 (Youngstown State), .292 (Buffalo-1), .276 (Bowling Green-1), .265 (Northern Iowa), .216 (Rochester College).
Bench Production
Akron is averaging 13.5 points of production from its bench through the Zips' first 17 games this season. Lauren Hung, Alex Ricketts and Alli Ball lead the way registering 4.1, 3.1 and 3.1 points, respectively. Ball paces the reserves in rebounding pulling down 3.1 caroms per tilt.
Preseason Predictions
University of Akron women's basketball senior Anita Brown and junior Hannah Plybon were named to the Preseason All-Mid-American Conference East team in a preseason poll of 12 conference coaches, the league office announced on Oct. 27.
The Zips under 10th-year head coach Jodi Kest, were picked to finish second as a team in the MAC East Division behind Ohio, who was tabbed to win the conference's regular and postseason championships. Following Akron (53 points) was Bowling Green (51 points), Miami (26 points), Buffalo (25 points) and Kent State (25 points).
In the MAC West, Eastern Michigan (64 points) received four first-place votes and was named the favorite to win the division. Ball State (63 points) captured eight first-place votes, but was selected to finish second. The Cardinals were followed by Western Michigan (45 points), Toledo (42 points), Central Michigan (24 points) and Northern Illinois (14 points).
Also voted on by the coaches was the predicted 2015 MAC Regular Season Champion. Ohio received 10 of the 12 first-place votes, while Ball State and Eastern Michigan each collected one championship vote.
In a tabulation of the MAC Championship winner, Ohio was selected as the favorite earning five first-place tallies. The Bobcats were followed by Ball State and Eastern Michigan with three votes apiece, while Buffalo rounded out the poll with the final tally.
King Garners All-America Accolades
Sina King was named an honorable mention All-American by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) for the 2014-15 campaign.
King was one of 52 other student-athletes from across all of Division I women's basketball to be honored by the WBCA. Her selection marked the second-straight year that Akron had a player earn honorable mention All-America accolades by the WBCA.
King joined Rachel Tecca (2013-14), Cheryl Bowles (1999-2000) and Pam Arnold (1986-87) as Zips who have been honored as earned honorable mention All-America recipients during their distinguished Akron careers.
Zips' Duo Earns Academic All-MAC Honors
Sina King and Hannah Plybon were named to the 2014-15 Mid-American Conference Women's Basketball Academic All-MAC team. In all, a total of 29 student-athletes were named to the squad for last season. The duo was also named to the MAC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete list in 2014-15.
Newcomer Notes
• Lilli Piper - Fr., Norton, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit: averaged 14.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game as a senior en route to earning all-conference and honorable mention All-Ohio honors. As a junior, she recorded 12.3 points, 8.6 rebounds and 5.9 assists per contest and garnered All-Ohio Special Mention recognition, and was also named first team all-district. A multi-sport athlete, Piper was tabbed the 2014 softball player of the year by Cleveland.com, and maintained a 3.6 GPA.
• Fredniqua Walker - Fr., Cleveland, Ohio/Shaw: averaged a double-double as a senior posting 16 points and 12 rebounds per contest en route to earning all-conference, all-district and third-team All-Ohio accolades and being named as a McDonald's All-American nominee. As a junior, averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds per game. She earned all-district recognition following her junior campaign in 2013-14. Walker boasted a 4.3 GPA and ranked No. 1 in her class.
Zips Live Radio Show
Every Thursday throughout the basketball season from 7-8 p.m. ET, Akron head coaches can be heard on the weekly radio program Zips Live, presented by Lee Hyder and Associates. The show airs locally on 1350 AM (WARF) and originates from Johnny J's Pub and Grill in the Valley (1282 Weathervane Lane). A free audio stream is available on SportsRadio1350.com.
What Is a Zip?
• One of the unique nicknames in collegiate athletics belongs to The University of Akron.
• Originally Zippers, athletic director Kenneth "Red" Cochrane officially shortened the nickname to the Zips in 1950. Twenty-five years earlier a campus-wide contest had been conducted to choose a nickname for the University's athletics teams.
• Suggestions submitted by students, faculty, and alumni included Golden Blue Devils, Tip Toppers, Rubbernecks, Hillbillies, Kangaroos, and Cheveliers.
• The winner, freshman Margaret Hamlin, received a prize of $10 for Zippers, a $6 pair of rubber overshoes and a brand name of the BF Goodrich Company.
• The evolution of Zippy, UA's mascot, began 40 years ago when the student council decided the University needed a mascot.
• "Zippy" the kangaroo was officially declared the school's mascot on May 1, 1953. The first known printed reference to the mascot as "Zippy" was a 1965 Zip football press brochure. The Buchtelite's first use of the name "Zippy" came Sept. 24, 1965, in an identification of a photo of the cheerleaders listing "Mascot - 'Zippy' - Charles Huettner."
• In 2007, Zippy was named the Capital One National Mascot of the Year.
Up Next
The Zips visit league-leading Ohio on Wednesday, Jan. 27. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
