The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Ohio
Zips Host MAC Leader Ohio in Matinee Affair
February 19 | Women's Basketball
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GAME NOTES NO. 25 AKRON VS. OHIO (2/20) (PDF)
Akron (13-11, 7-6 MAC) vs. Ohio (20-4, 12-1 MAC)
Saturday, Feb. 20
James A. Rhodes Arena (5,500)
Akron, Ohio • 4 p.m.
Live Stats: www.gozips.com
Webstream: www.gozips.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 pregame show starting at 3:50 p.m.
Television: Time Warner Cable/ESPN3
What's Ahead
Akron welcomes Mid-American Conference leader Ohio into James A. Rhodes Arena for a 4 p.m. matinee affair on Saturday, Feb. 20. The showdown between the top two squads in the MAC East Division will be televised by Time Warner Cable and ESPN3 with Mike Cairns and Jackie Windon calling the action.
A Look at Ohio
Ohio (20-4,12-1 MAC) comes into action on Saturday, Feb. 20, having won three straight and 14 of 15 overall following a 72-44 home victory past Miami on Wednesday, Feb. 17. Senior Kiyanna Black and junior Quiera Lampkins are leading the Bobcats' offensive exploits this season averaging 18.7 and 14.2 points, respectively. Junior Jasmine Weatherspoon is Ohio's leading rebounder pulling down 6.6 rebounds per game. The Bobcats are posting 71.5 points per contest, while holding its opponents to a league-low 58.4 scoring average. Ohio is connecting on nearly 40 percent (.397) of its shots from the field, while dialing long distance at a 31.5-percent clip. The Bobcats are leading the Mid-American Conference this season in scoring defense (58.4), scoring margin (+13.1), field goal percentage defense (.349), blocked shots (5.2) and triples per game (9.9). In league-only affairs, Ohio paces the conference in scoring defense (58.5), scoring margin (+16.1), field goal defense (.361), blocked shots (5.5), steals (12.3), turnover margin (+8.8), assist/turnover ratio (+1.1) and three pointers made (11.2).
Series History
Akron will be meeting Ohio for the 56th time in program history with the Bobcats leading the all-time series, 37-18. Earlier this season, Ohio registered a 75-55 victory past the Zips on Jan. 27.
The Coaches
Ohio: Bob Boldon is in his third season leading the Ohio program, owning a 56-29 (.659) record. Overall in six years as a head coach he maintains a 154-116 ledger (.570).
Akron: In her 10th year on the Akron sidelines as head coach, is Jodi Kest, who has a 155-150 mark (.508), including 381-303 (.557) overall, in her 24th year as a head coach.
Plybon Propels Akron Past Miami, 77-65
In a Wagon Wheel Showdown, Akron rallied from an 11-point third-quarter deficit to defeat Kent State, 78-66, on Wednesday, Feb. 17, at James A. Rhodes Arena behind a career-high 30 points from junior Hannah Plybon (Orrville, Ohio).
Plybon's 30-point outing came off a 6-for-11 shooting from downtown. The six triples equaled a career-best mark. Senior Anita Brown (Warren, Ohio) added 17 points, including 14 in the second half, and pulled down 10 rebounds to notch her fifth double-double of the season, while senior DiAndra Gibson (Ravenna, Ohio) tallied 13 points and collected six rebounds.
Larissa Lurken led the Golden Flashes with 16 points, while Jordan Korinek fell one rebound shy of a double-double adding 15 points and pulling down nine rebounds. Tyra James rounded out the double-digit scorers for Kent State with 12 points.
For the game, Akron shot 47 percent (27-of-57), and connected on 46 percent (11-of-24) of its shots from behind the three-point line. The Golden Flashes were 50-percent (28-of-56) from the field and hit on 38-percent (6-of-16) of their three-point attempts.
The Zips outrebounded the Golden Flashes, 33-30, led by 10 rebounds from Brown. Akron also benefited from a game-high nine assists from senior Megan Barilla (Fairview Park, Ohio), one off her career-high total set versus Central Florida on Dec. 5.
Western Michigan Rallies For 69-65 Win Over Akron
Akron saw Western Michigan erase a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit en route to stunning the Zips, 69-65, in Mid-American Conference women's basketball action last Saturday, Feb. 13.
The Broncos outscored Akron over the final 10 minutes, 27-10, to post the come-from-behind triumph.
Hannah Plybon and DiAndra Gibson each scored a game-high 18 points for the Zips, while junior Alex Ricketts (Mercer, Pa.) registered career-high marks in scoring (12) and rebounding (12) to collect a double-double in her first career start. Redshirt freshman Megan Sefcik (Austintown, Ohio) added a career-best eight points off the bench for Akron.
Meredith Shipman directed four Broncos scoring in double figures with a team-high 16 points.
The Zips finished the game shooting 40.4 percent from the field, while Western Michigan connected at a 39.7-percent clip. Akron outrebounded the Broncos in the affair, 39-37.
IN OUR LAST MEETING
Ohio def. Akron, 75-55 (Jan. 27, 2016)
ATHENS, Ohio - Displaying why it was tabbed to win the Mid-American Conference this season, Ohio connected on nearly 40 percent (.397) of its shots, including 14 three pointers, and limited Akron to a season-low 27.4 percent shooting mark, en route to notching a 75-55 victory past the Zips.
Anita Brown registered a game-high 16 points for Akron, while DiAndra Gibson and sophomore Greta Burry (Lakewood, Ohio) added 13 and nine points, respectively. Kiyanna Black directed four Bobcats scoring in double figures with a team-high 15 points.
Ohio outrebounded the Zips in the affair, 53-44, including edging Akron on the defensive glass, 38-27. Gibson garnered her third double-double of the season pulling down a game-high 10 rebounds, while Brown corralled eight rebounds of her own.
Contributing seven and six tallies off the bench for the Zips was Alex Ricketts and Megan Sefcik.
Plybon Joins Brown in Akron's 1,000-Point Club
With her second of two free throws with 46 seconds remaining in Akron's 77-65 victory past Miami on Feb. 6, Hannah Plybon joined teammate Anita Brown as members of the 1,000-point club at Akron. Earlier in the season, Brown 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 to move past 1,000 career points. Brown and Plybon will enter the Ohio contest with 1,360 and 1,051 career points, respectively.
Zips Hosted Play4Kay Game vs. Miami
Akron's Feb. 6 game versus Miami served as the Zips' Play4Kay game in honor of the late North Carolina State women's basketball coach Kay Yow, who lost her long battle with breast cancer in 2009. The game helped raise awareness for the disease and the Kay Yow Foundation, which supports research, provides grants, and drives inspiration in the fight against women's cancers.
Senior Class Moving Up Zips' All-Time Win List
Akron seniors Megan Barilla, Anita Brown and DiAndra Gibson are moving up the ladder on the Zips' list of all-time winningest classes in program history. The trio will enter Akron's game with Ohio on Saturday, Feb. 20, owning 81 victories. The 2014-15 senior class of Sina King holds the all-time mark of 84 wins (2011-15).
Zips Find Early Road Success in MAC Play
For the first time in program history Akron was victorious in its initial three conference road games this season before dropping an 81-60 decision at Central Michigan. The Zips 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 20.3 and 15.3 points per game in road league affairs. DiAndra Gibson is recording 12.1 points and 8.7 rebounds in league road contests, while Greta Burry (Lakewood, Ohio) is posting 9.4 points and 6.4 rebound per tilt.
News, Notes and Storylines
• Hannah Plybon owns a team-best 9.8 scoring average in five career games versus Ohio, while Anita Brown has recorded 8.4 points in seven contests against the Bobcats.
• For the first time this season the Zips are playing back-to-back home Mid-American Conference games when Akron battles Ohio on Saturday, Feb. 20. The Zips are the last conference school to play consecutive home league games during the 2015-16 campaign.
• Akron has won four of its last five home games versus Ohio.
• The Zips have not lost home games over consecutive years to a MAC East opponent since the 2010-11 and 2011-12 campaigns (Bowling Green and Miami).
• The Zips are 6-3 against the Bobcats at home under head coach Jodi Kest.
• Anita Brown owns 493 points this season to rank 10th on the single-season top 10 in scoring for the Zips. She is two points away from surpassing former teammate Sina King (494 in 2012-13) for ninth place.
• Hannah Plybon has connected on 75 three pointers on the campaign is ranked fifth on the single-season top 10 in three pointers. She is 11 triples from surpassing Taylor Ruper (75 in 2010-11) for fourth place.
• Megan Barilla has distributed 130 assists this season to rank seventh on the single-season top 10 in assists. She is four dimes away from moving past Ayla Guzzardo (133 in 2009-10) for sixth place.
• Anita Brown ranks ninth in career games played at Akron having appeared in 118 contests for the Zips entering play versus Ohio on Saturday, Feb. 20. Sitting just outside the top 10 with 112 career games played is Megan Barilla.
• When Anita Brown has scored 20 or more points in her career the Zips own a 15-11 mark. When Hannah Plybon surpasses 20 points in a contest Akron has posted an 11-3 record.
• The Zips own a 6-2 record in mid-week games this season, including holding road triumphs over Valparaiso, Eastern Michigan and Bowling Green.
• 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 its contest versus Ohio on Saturday, Feb. 20, having won 51 of its last 73 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 Ohio having amassed 1,360 points and has shot more than 44 percent (.442) from the field and at a 34.5-percent clip from beyond the arc.
• Anita Brown is ranked seventh in career scoring at Akron with 1,360 career points. She is 184 points shy of surpassing Pam Arnold (1984-88) for sixth all-time in the Zips' record book.
• Greta Burry is shooting 52.9 percent from the field for her career having made 101 of her 191 shots.
• Megan Barilla leads Akron in assists distributing a team-best 5.4 dimes per game. Over the past two seasons she had posted 238 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 Feb. 20 when Akron battles Ohio on Saturday. The Zips own victories over Central State (64-56 in 1982), Canisius (80-41 in 1988), Buffalo (84-58 in 1999), Ball State (71-65 in 2000),
Akron Notes
• Akron has responded following each of its 11 losses this season as three Zips are averaging double figures in these games while outscoring its opponents by 7.0 tallies per outing. Akron owns a 8-3 mark in these contests. Anita Brown, Hannah Plybon and DiAndra Gibson are posting 20.1, 18.0 and 10.9 points per contest, while Brown is recording a team-best 8.0 rebounds per tilt.
• In the Zips' 13 games away from James A. Rhodes Arena this season Anita Brown is averaging 23.2 points per contest.
• Since opening the season with a 1-4 ledger, the Zips have posted a 6-4 mark in their last 10 games, including a 5-1 record in games in December.
• Akron had won five straight true road games dating back to an 85-74 decision past Valparaiso on Dec. 9 before the Zips suffered an 81-60 setback at Central Michigan on Jan. 23. It marked Akron's longest such streak since rolling off seven consecutive true road wins during the 2013-14 campaign.
• 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.
• Eight players in Anita Brown (23), Hannah Plybon (21), DiAndra Gibson (13), Greta Burry (8), Alli Ball (St. Louis, Mo.) (2), Megan Barilla (1), Lauren Hung (Waterford, Mich.) (2) and Alex Ricketts (1) have scored in double figures for the Zips this season.
• Anita Brown is averaging a team-best 8.4 points in the first half of games this season, while Greta Burry is shooting 52.2 percent (36-69) 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 12.8 points. As a team, the Zips are shooting 42.1 percent from the field in the final 20 minutes of their 24 contests this season.
• Hannah Plybon connected on six three pointers in the Zips' 78-66 victory versus Kent State marking the 12th time in her career in which has made five or more 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 was selected as the Mid-American Conference East Women's Basketball Player of the Week, the league announced on Jan. 25. Brown turned in a strong week for the Zips averaging team-high marks in scoring (26.0), while also posting 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 2.5 assists in a pair of games for the Zips.
• 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 26 and 14 career 20-point performances after Plybon poured in career-best 30 points versus Kent State on Feb. 17.
• The Zips have won 33 of their last 40 games at the James A. Rhodes Arena, including a 8-3 mark this season.
• Akron is 11-3 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 21.4 points per contest. She has surpassed the 20-point plateau in all but eight games this season. Brown has now scored in double figures in each of the last 32 contests for the Zips, including scoring 20 or more points in 18 of the 32 tilts.
Barilla Dropping Dimes Sparks Akron
Megan Barilla is off to an impressive start distributing the ball for the Zips averaging a team-high 5.4 assists per game. She has recorded four or more dimes in 22 of Akron's 24 contests this season and on 36 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 24 games this season, Burry has posted 8.5 points and 6.4 rebounds a game, while shooting 51.8 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.
Plybon a Quick Study
Only a junior, Hannah Plybon has earned her undergraduate degree in speech language in just over two years from the University of Akron this past August. She is currently pursuing her master's degree.
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.
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 Hannah Plybon, Anita Brown, and DiAndra Gibson have posted 21.8, 20.5 and 14.8 points a night en route to leading the Zips to a 3-2 mark. Akron is shooting 45.7 percent from the field, while its opposition is connecting with a 42.0-percent shooting mark from the floor. Brown paces Akron in rebounding averaging 7.3 caroms a night, while Megan Barilla owns a team-best 30 assists.
Akron in Close Games
Akron has been involved in 56 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 (3-4), four-point difference (4-6) and five-point difference (2-6).
Zips' Offensive Progress Report
In Akron's 24 games this season, this is how the Zips have fared from the field: 50 percent: .500 (Eastern Michigan-2), 40 percent: . 476 (Valparaiso), .476 (UCF), .474 (Kent State-1), .472 (Miami-1), .457 (Rochester College), .443 (Ball State), .426 (Northern Colorado), .423 (Florida Atlantic), .419 (Youngstown State), .412 (Bowling Green-1), .411 (Northern Kentucky), .407 (Toledo), .404 (Western Michigan), .400 (Central Michigan-1), .400 (San Diego), 30 percent: .397 (Florida Gulf Coast), .390 (Buffalo-1), .348 (Northern Illinois), .347 (Winthrop), .313 (Central Michigan-2), .310 (Northern Iowa), 20 percent: .299 (Eastern Michigan-1), .274 (Ohio-1).
Akron's Defensive Progress Report
In the Zips' 24 games this season, this is how Akron's opponents have fared from the field: 50 percent: .588 (Central Michigan-1), .540 (San Diego), .500 (Kent State-1), .500 (Ball State), 40 percent: .467 (Florida Atlantic), .458 (Valparaiso), .407 (Northern Illinois), 30 percent: .397 (Western Michigan), .397 (Ohio-1), .393 (Northern Colorado), .391 (Toledo), .391 (Florida Gulf Coast), .385 (Eastern Michigan-2), .385 (Central Michigan-2), .365 (Eastern Michigan-1), .365 (Northern Kentucky), .343 (UCF), .333 (Miami-1), .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 12.4 points of production from its bench through the Zips' first 23 games this season. Lauren Hung, Alex Ricketts and Alli Ball lead the way registering 3.4, 3.3 and 2.6 points, respectively. Ricketts paces the reserves in rebounding pulling down 2.8 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 begin a two-game road swing traveling to Oxford, Ohio, to battle Miami on Wednesday, Feb. 24. Game time at Millett Hall is slated for 7 p.m.
