Akron Travels To Eastern Michigan For Key Rematch With Eagles

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Akron (14-9, 5-7 MAC) vs. Eastern Michigan (11-12, 4-8 MAC)
Wednesday, Feb. 20
Ypsilanti. Mich. • Convocation Center • 7:00 p.m.
Live Stats: GoZips.com
Watch: GoZips.com
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What's Ahead
A key match-up awaits the Akron women's basketball team as the Zips travel to Ypsilanti, Mich., for a rematch against Eastern Michigan. The Zips and Eagles are scheduled to square off on Wednesday, Feb. 20, at 7 p.m. inside the Convocation Center, home of EMU basketball.

Stop, Watch, and Listen
The Zips' radio broadcast will air on 1350 Fox Sports with Bill Morgan calling the action live from the Convocation Center. You can also tune in and stream the game live on ESPN+, HERE.

Scouting the Eagles
On the eve of week 15 inside Mid-American Conference play, Eastern Michigan currently stands 4-8 in league contests while holding an 11-12 overall record. The Eagles sit ninth in the MAC standings, which is one spot behind the Zips. EMU opened conference play 2-2 after two weeks before losing six of their next eight contests. The Eagles saw non-conference wins over Cleveland State, Illinois State, Illinois-Chicago, Detroit Mercy, Fort Wayne, Longwood, and Northwood.

Danielle Minot paces the Eagles offense scoring 14.1 points per game which ranks 13th in the MAC. However, since the start of league games, Minot has scored 14.7 points per game including 43 points against Buffalo. In three MAC contests, Minot is shooting .330 from the field, .306 from long range, and has pulled down a team second-best 63 rebounds (5.3/game). Minott's teammates, Corrione Cardwell and Courtnie Lewis are averaging 13.1 and 10.4 points per match-up, respectively, to round out the Eagles triple threat. Cardwell has added 60 assists, 55 steals, and averages 4.3 rebounds per game, while Lewis owns a 75 rebounds, 17 steals, and 15 assists. Combined the trio has scored 852 of the Eagles 1,413 total team points (60 percent).

Starting point guard Jenna Annecchiarico, who leads the Eagles in assists (75), ranks third in the MAC in Assist/Turnover ratio while also ranking 71st in the country. Eastern Michigan has quick hands on the defensive end of the court with 196 steals, fourth-best in the conference and 161st in the NCAA. Cardewll ranks 60th in the nation in steals while Minott is rated 70th in steals per game (2.27).

Probable Starters
Eastern Mich.:Danielle Minott, Corrione Cardwell, Courtnie Lewis, Lorraine Enabulele, Jenna Annecchiarico.

Akron: Shaunay Edmonds, Shayna Harmon, Megan Sefcik, Haliegh Reinoehl, Caitlin Vari.

Series History
Akron versus Eastern Michigan, the advantage to the Zips. Akron and the Eagles have competed on the hardwood 39 times since the program's first meeting in 1982 with the Zips owning a 23-16 overall record against the Eagles. Akron has defeated EMU in the four of the previous five meetings, in seven of the last nine contests, and is currently riding a three-game win streak at the Convocation Center in Ypsilanti, Mich.

Last Time Out
The Akron women's basketball team fell short in their efforts to stage a second-half rally and dropped a 72-60 decision to visiting Eastern Michigan in Mid-American Conference action Wednesday evening at James A. Rhodes Arena.

Akron mounted a furious fourth-quarter rally, riding three straight 3-pointers from redshirt senior guard Megan Sefcik (Austintown, Ohio) in a 33-second span to bring the game back to 64-56, but the Eagles were able to hold on for the win down the stretch.

Sefcik led the Zips in scoring for the 12^thtime this season with 20 points to go along with six rebounds and five assists. Junior Shaunay Edmonds (Pittsburgh, Pa) notched her fifth double-digit scoring performance in a row and sixth of the season as the guard had 14 points while junior forward Haliegh Reinoehl (Westfield, Ind.) added another strong game to her ledger, notching her first double-double of the season and the fifth of her career by tallying 10 points along with a season-high and career-tying 14 rebounds.

Coaches
Eastern Mich.: Fred Castro is amidst his third season at the helm of the Eastern Michigan women's basketball program and owns a 27-57 overall record while going 10-41 inside the Mid-American Conference. A year ago, Castro's Eagles scored the ninth-most points in program history (2,150) and seventh-most field goals (810).

Akron: Melissa Jackson took over the Akron women's basketball team beginning in 2018-19. Jackson spent the previous 10 seasons on the Zips coaching staff as an assistant coach (four seasons) and as the associate head coach (six seasons). Jackson played a pivotal role in the recent Akron women's basketball success and looks to continue to grow the program.

Mid-American Conference Member
The Zips have been a member of the Mid-American Conference for the past 27 years after joining the league in 1992 from the North Star Conference.

With A Win Over Eastern Michigan, Akron Would...

Earn its 15th victory of the 2018-19 season.
Give the Zips their sixth MAC win and move to 6-7 in league play.
Be the 148th win during Mid-American Conference play.
Become the eighth team in Akron program history to win at least 15 games and the sixth Zips squad to do so in the Division I era.
Defeat the Eagles for the 24th time in program history.
Tie up the season series between the Zips and Eagles
Increase its lead over EMU in the MAC standings two games.

Zips Tidbits

Brown-Mitchell, Miller, and Neitzel each made their collegiate debut against North Carolina A&T (11/13).
Coach Jackson earned her first career victory with a 49-36 win over North Carolina A&T.
The starting five of Shaunay Edmonds, Shayna Harmon, Megan Sefcik, Haliegh Reinoehl, and Caitlin Vari made their 18th start together as a group dating back to 2017-18
Brown-Mitchell began her Akron career scoring 7 points and pulling down 6 rebounds.
Dating back to 2017-18, Sefcik has scored in double-figures in 27 of her last 35 games played in.
Sefcik fell one point shy of tying her career-high in scoring during a season opener with her 18 points after scoring 19 last year.
All 10 active players on the roster saw time on the court against the Aggies and six of the 10 recorded at least one point.
Akron outscored N.C. A&T 17-3 in the third quarter, including 10 points from Sefcik, and 27-12 in the second half to pull away with the game.
The Zips 3-0 record to open the season was the best start since 2014-15 when the Akron squad went 8-0.
Akron has outscored seven of its 22 opponents by double-digits (+13 vs. NC A&T, +20 vs. Oak, +17 vs. NKU, +17 vs. JSU, +19 vs. MU, +13 vs. WMU, +30 vs. Ball St.). The last time Akron won three straight games by 10+points was 2015-16. The 30-point margin of victory over BSU was the largest of the season for Akron.
Megan Sefcik ranks 19th in the nation averaging 3.13 triples per contest, rated 29th in three-point field goals made (72), 30th in three-point field goals attempted (193), and 96th in three-point field goal percentage (.373).
As a unit, the Akron ranks 38th in three-point field goals made per game (8.2), 58th in three-point field goals made (188), 86th in three-point field goal attempts (542), and 55th in three-point field goal percentage (.347).
The Akron offense has taken care of the ball well through its 23 games with just 326 turnovers which ranks 29th in the nation and their 14.2 turnovers per game rank 70th.
As a team, the Zips rank 64th in the NCAA in free throw percentage at 73.2-percent.
Caitlin Vari registered the first double-double of her career against Youngstown (10 points, 10 rebounds).
The Zips capitalized on Youngstown State being called for 14 fouls and connected on 16 free throws on 18 attempts (.889). Haliegh Reinoehl and Shayna Harmon each went 7-for-8.
Shayna Harmon accounted for all seven of the Zips third-quarter points against the Penguins.
The Zips defense has limited the opposition to 65 points or less in 14 of its 22 games
The Akron offense has made a minimum of five three-pointers in 22 of its 23 games including a season-high 12 triples on three different occasions.
Only eight teams have made more than 25 field goals in a contest through 23 games against the Akron defense.
The Akron Zips are 5-1 when playing in their annual Education Day game.
Kendall Miller dished out a season and career-best five assists against the Bonnies.
Shayna Harmon poured in a career-high 21 points against St. Bonaventure to lead Akron to victory.
The Zips have taken advantage of the first and fourth quarter getting off to a fast start and closing out games strong. In both periods combined, Akron has outscored the opposition 777-699.
Akron has only entered the halftime intermission trailing its opponent 10 times through 23 games.
Colleen Neitzel led the Zips in scoring with nine points against Butler. The freshman connected on three field goals that all came from beyond the arc for a single-game career-best.
The Zips have posted seven contests where at least nine players scored at least one point (Oakland, YSU, EKU, Butler, JSU, UTEP. Ball St.), and one contest where all active players were in the scoring column (vs. NKU, vs. Malone).
Akron has connected on double-digit free throws in 16 of its 23 games including a season-high 22.
Shayna Harmon dished out a career-high seven assists against Canisius.
Sefcik has made four three-pointers in nine games, at least one triple in 22 of 23 games, and a single-game season-high of six netted triples against Northern Kentucky and Toledo.
In her season debut, Fredniqua Walker registered a season- and tied a career-best eight points against Jackson State after returning from injury.
Prior to the 2018-19 season, Shayna Harmon scored in double-figures in just two games. She has notched double figures in six games this year.
The .508 shooting percentage against Northern Kentucky is the highest single-game percentage in the past two seasons.
Against Malone, Neitzel dished out a career-best five assists to lead the Zips while Kendall Miller scored a career-high nine points against the Pioneers.
The Zips have reeled in 215 offensive rebounds through 23 games. Akron has turned their second chances into 204 points.
Caitlin Vari has grabbed a team-best 68 offensive boards, including a season-best eight against Canisius, at least two offensive caroms in 18 games, and recorded a team-high in offensive rebounds in 12 games.
Despite the loss against Central Michigan, Akron scored its then fourth-most points in a game this season, recorded its third-best field goal percentage of the year, and three players scored in double-figures.
Akron posted four players in double-figures against Western Michigan for the first time this season.
Megan Sefcik recorded her first career double-double against the Broncos scoring 15 points and grabbing a career-high 10 rebounds.
Alyssa Clay played her then best game of the season against Western Michigan scoring 11 points including 3-for-3 from beyond the arc. It was the sixth time in her career making three or more three-pointers in a single-game.
Haliegh Reinoehl eclipsed the 500 career rebounds mark in their win against Western Michigan. She needs just 108 more rebounds to join the top-ten all-time career rebounder's in program history.
Akron saw five players score in double figures against Bowling Green. It was the first time five Zips scored double digits in a game since 2015-16.
Shayna Harmon recorded a career-best eight assists against the Falcons.
The Zips snapped a four-game win streak against Bowling Green with their 74-71 win.
Haleigh Reinoehl tied a career-high in rebounds against Eastern Michigan with 14 boards.
The Zips 2-1 MAC record through the first three games of league play was the first time Akron was above .500 in the MAC since the 2015-16 season.
Haliegh Reinoehl eclipsed the 500th career point mark against Northern Illinois. In her first shot attempt of the game, the Zips junior knocked down a three-pointer to hit 500 points exactly.
Akron tied its then season-best shooting performance from long range against the Huskies, .478. The Zips also shot 47.8-percent from distance against Oakland.
The Zips defense limited the second-best offense in the MAC to 35.3-percent shooting from the floor, 33.3-percent from three-point range, and its then- fourth-lowest scoring total of the season.
Akron's 48.2-percent shooting percentage against Buffalo is the second-highest shooting percentage of the season to date.
Gabrielle Brown-Mitchell tied a season- and career-high point total against Buffalo (13).
In the fourth quarter, Brown-Mitchell and Kendall Miller combined to scored 14 of the Zips 17 fourth quarter points versus Buffalo.
In their career's, the junior class of Alyssa Clay, Shaunay Edmonds, Shayna Harmon, Haliegh Reinoehl, and Caitlin Vari have combined to play 8,147 minutes and have played in a combined 3,711 games since their freshman seasons.
Akron overcame a 12-point deficit against Toledo and defeated the Rockets, 70-64, their largest deficit of the season.
The Zips scored 17 points in the overtime period vs. Toledo, which almost equaled their point total in the entire first half (21).
Megan Sefcik scored 25 of her season-high 29 points against Toledo in the second half and overtime period and connected on a season-best six three-pointers for the second time this season.
Akron's 70 points against the Rockets were tied for the third-most points given up by UT all season.
After trailing on the glass in the first half, the Zips ended the game with a 35-34 rebound advantage over UT.
Shaunay Edmonds and Shayna Harmon combined to dish out 13 of the Zips 18 assists, which occurred on 81-percent of the Zips made field goals.
Akron recorded its highest three-point shooting percentage of the season against Ohio (52.4-percent).
Alyssa Clay went off against the Bobcats playing the best game of her career scoring a career-best 25 points, shot 9-of-14 from the floor, 5-of-6 from long range, and 2-for-4 from the free throw line. Her five triples against OU are the second-most Clay has connected on in a single game (6 vs. BG, 1/13/18).
Shaunay Edmonds scored a season-high 24 points in game two against Western Michigan. She fell three points shy of her career-high 27 points set last season.
The Akron offense turned the ball over a season-low seven times against Western Michigan. This is the first time a Zips team has recorded less than eight turnovers in a game since 2015-16 when Akron tallied just five turnovers against Bowling Green (3/5/16).
The Zips completed Akron's first season sweep of Western Michigan since 2011.
The 2018-19 Zips squad is 15th team in Akron program history to win at least 13 games and the 12th Zips squad to do so in the Division I era.
Against the Broncos, Haliegh Reinoehl recorded her third double-double of the season, all of which have come in Mid-American Conference play.
Caitlin Vari bested her career-high in scoring against Western Michigan turning in a 15 point performance.
In 11 of the last 12 games, the Zips have had at least three players score in double figures and in 17 of their 23 contests overall. Akron is 10-7 in those games.
Become the 13th team in Akron program history to win at least 14 games and the 11th Zips squad to do so in the Division I era.
Akron notched six names in the scoring column against Ball State. Look at stat computer
The 91-point outing against Ball State represented the highest point total of the season for Akron.
The 30-point margin of victory against Ball State was the largest of the season for Akron.
The contest also marked the first time Akron defeated a conference opponent by 30+ since the 2012-13 season when Akron defeated Kent State by +35 (93-58).
Caitlin Vari set a season-high and tied her career-high 16 rebounds against the Cardinals.
The Zips +17 advantage in the first quarter against Ball State was the largest point differential in a quarter for Akron this season.
In a dominant defensive performance, the Zips held the Cardinals to just three points in the first quarter. Akron also held North Carolina A&T to 3 points in the third quarter in the first game of the season.
The Zips scored a season-high 40 points inside the paint against Ball State.
The starting five of Edmonds, Harmon, Sefcik, Reinoehl, and Vari scored 66 of the Zips 91 points vs. Ball State.
Against Miami, the 50-percent of the Zips offense came from inside the paint (30 points).
Haliegh Reinoehl notched her fourth double-double of the season after her 12 point-11 rebound effort against Miami. All four double-doubles have come within MAC play.

Where They Rank in the MAC, as a team (as of 2/19)

Rated eighth in scoring (66.9 ppg)
Ranked fifth in scoring defense allowing just 65.0 points per contest.
Akron's +1.9 scoring margin is ranked eighth in the league.
Akron is rated eighth in field goal percentage (.410) and seventh in field goal percentage allowed (.401).
From long range, Akron ranks fourth in 3FG made per game (8.2) and fourth in 3FG% (.347).
Ranked sixth in free throw percentage (.732).
Rated fourth in rebounding defense (36.4), eighth in rebounding margin (-0.9), 6th in defensive rebounds (26.2 per game), and 10th in offensive rebounds (9.3)
The Zips 6.61 steals per contest are a league 10th-best.
Akron's 67 blocked shots (2.91 per/game) are third-best in the conference rankings.
Akron ranks eighth in turnover margin (0.43) and sixth assists/turnover ratio (0.94).

Where They Rank in the MAC, Individually (as of 2/19)

Megan Sefcik is rated sixth in scoring (16.7 pts/game).
In the rebounding category, Reinoehl has the seventh most boards per contest (7.5/game) and Caitlin Vari ranks eighth (7.0/game).
Sefcik ranks ninth in FG% (.418), 19th in 3FG% (.373), 5th in 3FG made per game (3.1), and 2nd in free throw% (.906)
Shayna Harmon ranks 11th in assists (3.7 apg) and second in assist/turnover ratio (2.1).
Shaunay Edmonds ranks 14th in steals per game (1.6 per game) and Sefcik ranks 11th (1.8 per game).

Where They Rank in MAC Play, as a team (as of 2/19)

Rated fifth in scoring (68.6 ppg)
Akron is rated fourth in field goal percentage (.427).
From long range, Akron ranks second in 3FG made per game (8.8) and first in 3FG% (.379).
Ranked seventh in free throw percentage (.721).
Fifth in rebounding defense (36.8).
Akron's 38 blocked shots (3.17 per/game) are third-best the conference rankings.
Akron ranks seventh in turnover margin (-1.58) and sixth assists/turnover ratio (0.94).

Where They Rank in MAC Play, Individually (as of 2/19)

Megan Sefcik is rated eighth in scoring (16.8 pts/game).
In the rebounding category, Reinoehl has the seventh most boards per contest (8.3/game) and Caitlin Vari ranks ninth (7.7/game).
Sefcik ranks 11th in FG% (.411), 17th in 3FG% (.370), third in 3FG made per game (3.1), and second in free throw percentage (.912), while Alyssa Clay ranks first in 3FG% (.645) and 18th in three-pointers made per game (1.7).
Shayna Harmon ranks sixth in assists (4.3 apg) and first in assist/turnover ratio (3.4).
Edmonds is rated 18th in steals per game (1.5 per game) and Sefcik ranks 15th (1.7 per game).

Up Next
The Zips are back in action at James A. Rhodes Arena on Saturday, Jan. 23, as the Akron women's basketball team is scheduled for a rematch against Buffalo. The Zips host the Bulls at 5 p.m. in game two of an Akron basketball doubleheader with the Zips men's basketball team taking on Miami at 2 p.m.

Akron Travels To Eastern Michigan For Key Rematch With Eagles

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Players Mentioned

Gabrielle Brown-Mitchell

Alyssa Clay

Shaunay Edmonds

Shayna Harmon

Kendall Miller

Colleen Neitzel

Haliegh Reinoehl

Megan Sefcik

Caitlin Vari

Fredniqua Walker

The University of Akron Athletics

Akron Travels To Eastern Michigan For Key Rematch With Eagles

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Gabrielle Brown-Mitchell

Alyssa Clay

Shaunay Edmonds

Shayna Harmon

Kendall Miller

Colleen Neitzel

Haliegh Reinoehl

Megan Sefcik

Caitlin Vari

Fredniqua Walker

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