Rematch Between Akron and Western Michigan Up Next For The Zips

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Akron (12-8, 3-6 MAC) vs. Western Michigan (8-11, 2-6 MAC)
Saturday, Feb. 9
Akron, Ohio. • James A. Rhodes Arena • 5:00 p.m.
Live Stats: GoZips.com
Watch: GoZips.com
Listen: GoZips.com

What's Ahead
For the second time this season, the Akron women's basketball team will match-up with Western Michigan on the hardwood. After the Zips visited Kalamazoo, Mich., in their first meeting on Jan. 9, the Broncos now travel to Akron and invade the JAR on Saturday, Feb. 9, at 5 p.m.

Stop, Watch, and Listen
The Zips' radio broadcast will air 1350 Fox Sports with Bill Morgan calling the action live from the JAR. You can also tune in and stream the game live on ESPN3, HERE, with Michael Reghi and Jacki Windon on the call.

Welcome Home
Throughout the weekend and into the game, the Akron women's basketball team will be celebrating Alumnae weekend. The Zips are anticipating the return of more than 15 alumnae back to campus and set to honor them throughout the game against the Broncos.

Scouting the Broncos
Western Michigan, a team that lost its top two scoring threats to injury prior to the start of the season, the Broncos own an 8-11 overall record. After going 6-5 in the non-conference portion of their schedule, WMU has since gone 2-6 over its eight Mid-American Conference contests. The Broncos opened MAC play defeating Bowling Green (84-82), went on to lose four straight to Akron, EMU, Toledo, and Buffalo, picked up league win #2 against Ball State (65-62), and most recently fallen in two straight games to Miami and Kent State.

Stepping up for the Broncos offense is the trio of Leighah-Amori Wool, Deja Wimby, and Jasmyn Walker each scoring in double figures for Western Michigan. Wimby, a member of the WMU backcourt is scoring 13.2 points per game on the season while also leading the squad with 66 assists and 44 steals. Wimby has turned in double-digit scoring performances 11 times thus far and has had at least two dimes in 14 of 15 contests. Wool, a sophomore forward, averages 10.2 points while shooting 35.0-percent from the floor and grabbing 5.0 rebounds per match-up. Walker, the teams leading rebounder grabbing 6.9 boards per contests is also scoring 10.0 points per game. Walker has posted a pair of double-doubles this season including a season-best 17 points and 15 rebounds against Bowling Green.

In the nation, the Broncos rank ninth in fewest turnovers (250), 21st in turnovers per game (13.2), and 68th in turnover margin (+2.7). Individually, Wimby ranks 23rd in steals per game (2.93).

Probable Starters
Western Michigan: Leighah-Amori Wool, Deja Wimby, Jasmyn Walker, Karmin Reed, Meredith Miller.

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

Series History
As Akron takes on Western Michigan for the second time this season, it will be the 43rd meeting between the Zips and Broncos in each programs respective history's since the inaugural meeting in 1993. In the 42 previous meetings, Western Michigan holds the all-time series advantage, 31-11, over Akron.

Last Time Out
Four Zips scored in double-figures and redshirt senior Megan Sefcik (Austintown, Ohio) recorded her first career double-double as the Akron women's basketball team sealed its first Mid-American Conference victory of the season with a 72-59 win over Western Michigan inside University Arena.

Akron's offense was firing on all cylinders against the Broncos en route to 72 points on the evening. As a team, the Zips shot 40.3-percent (25-for-62) from the floor and an even better 42.9-percent (12-for-28) from long range, which is the second-best clip percentage from distance of the year.

Individually, the Zips spread the ball around against WMU with four players garnering double-digits in the scoring column and eight total players with at least three points. For the ninth team this season, Sefcik was the top-scorer for Akron and poured in 15 points on 5-of-13 shooting, including a trio of triples. Junior forward Haliegh Reinoehl (Westfield, Ind.) turned in 12 points along with Vari and junior guard Alyssa Clay (Indianapolis, Ind.) as each chipped in 11 points. Clay played her best game of the season scoring a season-high, went 4-for-5 from the floor, and a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc.

Coaches
Western Michigan: Shane Clipfell, is amidst his seventh season at the helm of the Western Michigan women's basketball program since taking over in 2012. Clipfell has led the Broncos to four straight 17+ win seasons in the last four years and owns a 106-105 overall record during his tenure.

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 Western Michigan, Akron Would...

Earn its 13th victory of the 2018-19 season.
Give the Zips their fourth MAC win and move to 4-6 in league play.
Be the 146th win during Mid-American Conference play.
Claim its 12th win over Western Michigan and second of the 2018-19 season.
Become the 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.
Break a two-game losing streak.

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 15th 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 25 of her last 32 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 six of its 13 opponents by double-digits (+13 vs. NC A&T, +20 vs. Oak, +17 vs. NKU, +17 vs. JSU, +19 vs. MU, +13 vs. WMU). The last time Akron won three straight games by 10+points was 2015-16.
Megan Sefcik ranks 14th in the nation averaging 3.25 triples per contest, rated 24th in three-point field goals made (65), 21st in three-point field goals attempted (179), and 120th in three-point field goal percentage (.363).
As a unit, the Akron ranks 34th in three-point field goals made per game (8.4), 53rd in three-point field goals made (167), 74th in three-point field goal attempts (483), and 58th in three-point field goal percentage (.346).
The Akron offense has taken care of the ball well through its 20 games with just 293 turnovers which ranks 54th in the nation and their 14.7 turnovers per game rank 87th.
As a team, the Zips rank 52nd in the NCAA in free throw percentage at 73,6-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 12 of its 20 games
The Akron offense has made a minimum of five three-pointers in 19 of its 120 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 20 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 669-601.
Akron has only entered the halftime intermission trailing its opponent nine times through 20 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 six contests where at least nine players scored at least one point (Oakland, YSU, EKU, Butler, JSU, UTEP), 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 13 of its 19 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 19 of 20 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 five 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 193 offensive rebounds through 20 games. Akron has turned their second chances into 181 points.
Caitlin Vari has grabbed a team-best 61 offensive boards, including a season-best eight against Canisius, at least two offensive caroms in 16 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 7,829 minutes and have played in a combined 365 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 there 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.
In eight of the last nine games, the Zips have had at least three players score in double figures and in 14 of their 20 contests overall. Akron is 8-6 in those games.
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).

Where They Rank in the MAC, As A Team (as of 2/8)

Rated 9th in scoring (65.9 ppg)
Ranked seventh in scoring defense allowing just 65.3 points per contest.
Akron's +0.7 scoring margin is ranked eighth in the league.
Akron is rated ninth in field goal percentage (.401) and ninth in field goal percentage allowed (.402).
From long range, Akron ranks fourth in 3FG made per game (8.4) and fourth in 3FG% (.346).
Ranked sixth in free throw percentage (.736).
Rated fourth in rebounding defense (36.6), ninth in rebounding margin (-1.1), 8th in defensive rebounds (25.9 per game), and 10th in offensive rebounds (9.7)
The Zips 6.75 steals per contest are a league 10th-best.
Akron's 54 blocked shots (2.70 per/game) are fourth-best in the conference rankings.
Akron ranks ninth in turnover margin (0.35) and seventh assists/turnover ratio (0.91).

Where They Rank in the MAC, Individually (as of 2/8)

Megan Sefcik is rated fifth in scoring (17.1 pts/game).
In the rebounding category, Reinoehl has the seventh most boards per contest (7.2/game) and Caitlin Vari ranks 10th (6.5/game).
Sefcik ranks 9th in FG% (.414), 7th in 3FG% (.363), 4th in 3FG made per game (3.3), and 2nd in free throw% (.911)
Shayna Harmon ranks 12th in assists (3.4 apg) and sixth in assist/turnover ratio (1.8).
Shaunay Edmonds ranks 10th in steals per game (1.8 per game) and Sefcik ranks 12th (1.8 per game).

Where They Rank in MAC Pay, As A Team (as of 2/8)

Rated seventh in scoring (67.3 ppg)
Akron is rated eighth in field goal percentage (.411).
From long range, Akron ranks second in 3FG made per game (9.4) and first in 3FG% (.385).
Ranked sixth in free throw percentage (.725).
Fourth in rebounding defense (37.4).
Akron's 25 blocked shots (2.78 per/game) are seventh-best the conference rankings.
Akron ranks ninth in turnover margin (-2.44) and sixth assists/turnover ratio (0.88).

Where They Rank in MAC Play, Individually (as of 2/8)

Megan Sefcik is rated sixth in scoring (17.8 pts/game).
In the rebounding category, Reinoehl has the eighth most boards per contest (7.8/game) and Caitlin Vari ranks 13th (6.4/game).
Sefcik ranks 11th in FG% (.402), sixth in 3FG% (.349), and second in 3FG made per game (3.3).
Shayna Harmon ranks 10th in assists (3.8 apg) and first in assist/turnover ratio (3.1).
Edmonds is rated 13th in steals per game (1.7 per game) and Sefcik ranks 19th (1.6 per game).

Up Next
The Akron women's basketball homestand continues on Wednesday, Feb. 13, when the Zips host Ball State in a cross-divisional match-up. Akron and Ball State are slated for a 7 p.m. tip inside James A. Rhodes Arena.

Rematch Between Akron and Western Michigan Up Next For The Zips

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

The University of Akron Athletics

Rematch Between Akron and Western Michigan Up Next For The Zips

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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