Akron Women's Basketball Hosts Ohio To Begin Final Home Stretch Of 2018-19

Saturday, March 2

Akron, Ohio

5 PM

University of Akron

Ohio University

Tickets

Akron Women's Basketball Hosts Ohio To Begin Final Home Stretch Of 2018-19

March 01 | Women's Basketball

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Akron (16-10, 7-8 MAC) vs. Ohio (22-4, 11-4 MAC)
Saturday, March 2
Akron, Ohio • James A. Rhodes Arena • 5:00 p.m.
Live Stats: GoZips.com
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What's Ahead
Akron returns home for its final two home contests of the 2018-19 regular season with three games remaining in the campaign. The Zips welcome in Ohio to James A. Rhodes Arena on Saturday, March 2, at 5 p.m. The Akron women's basketball is game two of the final Akron Zips basketball doubleheader of the regular season.

Scouting the Bobcats
The Ohio Bobcats are on pace to finish the 2018-19 season with its best record in program history after going 22-4 with three games remaining in the regular season, including an 11-4 MAC record and a perfect 11-0 non-conference ledger. The Bobcats did not lose their first contest of the year until Jan. 9, against Central Michigan. The only other loss Ohio suffered was a 61-67 setback to Miami. At home in the Convo, the Bobcats are 11-3 including while on the road stand 9-1.

Ohio has a league-best five players scoring in double figures to pace the Bobcats offensive efforts, including Cierra Hooks, Erica Johnson, Amani Burke, Gabby Burris, and Dominque Doseck. Hooks, the reigning MAC Freshman of the Year, scores a team-high 16.7 points per game which ranks sixth in the conference. Additionally, Hooks owns a team-best 111 assists and 82 steals which also ranks fifth and first in the MAC, respectively. Freshman Erica Johnson is having a spectacular rookie campaign with the Bobcats scoring 13.4 points, grabbing 6.0 rebounds, and shooting 44-percent from the floor. Burke, an outside threat for the Bobcats, scores 13.2 points per game while hitting 40.9-percent from long range. Burris and Doseck are scoring 12.2 and 11.2 points per game, respectively.

The Bobcats boast the second-best offense in the Mid-American Conference and 17th in the nation scoring 78.7 points per game. Ohio also owns the third-best shooting percentage (.435) and second-best three-point field goal percentage (.364) around the league. Ohio ranks in the top-25 in the NCAA in seven statistical categories as a team, including three-pointers per game (7th), three-point field goals made (9th), three-point field goals attempted (15th), win/loss percentage (15th), scoring offense (17th), steals and steals per game (23rd).

Probable Starters
Ohio: Cierra Hooks, Amani Burke, Gabby Burris, Dominique Doseck, Olivia Bower.

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

Series History
Akron and Ohio met for the first time 42 years ago Feb. 5, 1977. In the past 42 years, the Bobcats holds the advantage in the all-time series history, 43-19. A year ago, the Zips and Bobcats split the regular season series, 1-1, but Ohio won the rubber match between the two teams in the first round of the 2018 MAC Tournament.

Last Time Out
Going up against the top team in the Mid-American Conference, the Ohio Bobcats, junior Alyssa Clay (Indianapolis, Ind.) poured in a career-high 25 points, shot 5-of-6 from long range and the Zips connected on 11 team triples, however, the Bobcats took down the Akron women's basketball team, 92-70, in the Convocation Center in Athens, Ohio.

Offense was flowing inside the Convo as Akron shot 46.4-percent (25-for-56) from the floor and 52.4-percent (11-for-21) from long range, a season-high from distance for the Zips. Despite shooting at a lower clip from the floor (45.6-percent) than UA, Ohio outshot the Zips in made field goals, 31-to-26, en route to the win.

It was a night to remember for Zips sharpshooter, Clay, as she scored a career-high 25 points in the contest to lead the Zips, eclipsing her previous career-high of 22 points. Clay shot 9-for-14 from the floor, 5-for-6 from beyond the arc, and 2-for-4 from the free throw line. Redshirt senior Megan Sefcik (Austintown, Ohio) chipped in 17 points with three triples and a perfect 4-for-4 from the charity stripe. Junior point guard Shaunay Edmonds (Pittsburgh, Pa.) rounded out the three Zips in double digits as she added 11 points, a game-high eight dimes, and four rebounds.

Coaches
Ohio: Bob Boldon, the 10th head coach in Ohio University women's basketball history, is in his sixth season at the helm of the Bobcats program. In his time at Ohio, Boldon has seen a plethora of success on the court including back-to-back MAC regular-season titles and its fourth postseason appearance in program history. Boldon owns a 121-61 overall record at Ohio.

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 Ohio, Akron Would...

Earn its 17th victory of the 2018-19 season.
Give the Zips their eighth MAC win and move to 8-8 in league play.
Be the 150th win during Mid-American Conference play.
Become the just seventh team in Akron program history to win at least 17 games in a season and the sixth Zips squad to do so in the Division I era.
Tie the season series against Ohio.
Earn its 20th win all-time against the Bobcats.

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 21st 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 29 of her last 38 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 20th in the nation averaging 3.12 triples per contest, rated 27th in three-point field goals made (81), 19th in three-point field goals attempted (223), and 105th in three-point field goal percentage (.363).
As a unit, the Akron ranks 47th in three-point field goals made per game (8.0), 57th in three-point field goals made (207), 63rd in three-point field goal attempts (613), and 74th in three-point field goal percentage (.338).
The Akron offense has taken care of the ball well through its 26 games with just 358 turnovers which ranks 40th in the nation and their 13.8 turnovers per game rank 58th.
As a team, the Zips rank 48th in the NCAA in free throw percentage at 74.1-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 15 of its 26 games
The Akron offense has made a minimum of five three-pointers in 25 of its 26 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 26 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 940-846. In the fourth quarter alone, the Zips have outscored its opponents, 518-465.
Akron has only entered the halftime intermission trailing its opponent 12 times through 26 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 18 of its 26 games including a season-high 24.
Shayna Harmon dished out a career-high seven assists against Canisius.
Sefcik has made four three-pointers in 10 games, at least one triple in 25 of 26 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 seven 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 242 offensive rebounds through 26 games. Akron has turned their second chances into 219 points.
Caitlin Vari has grabbed a team-best 79 offensive boards, including a season-best eight against Canisius, at least two offensive caroms in 21 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 25 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 8,577 minutes and have played in a combined 3,726 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 then 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 then-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.
Caitlin Vari bested her career-high in scoring against Western Michigan turning in a 15 point performance.
In 13 of the last 14 games, the Zips have had at least three players score in double figures and in 19 of their 26 contests overall. Akron is 12-7 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.
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-double's have come within MAC play.
Megan Sefcik played back-to-back 40 minute games against the Miami and Eastern Michigan. Against Miami was the first time the redshirt senior played a full 40 minute contest in her career.
In just over six-minute time span (7:47-1:31) in the fourth quarter against EMU, Sefcik went on to score 11 of Akron's 13 points to bring Akron back within a single-digit deficit and keep the Zips within reach of the Eagles.
Sefcik scored 11 of her 27 points against EMU in the fourth quarter alone.
The Zips starting five of Edmonds, Harmon, Sefcik, Reinoehl, and Vari scored all 60 points for Akron against Eastern Michigan.
The frontcourt dynamic duo of Haliegh Reinoehl and Caitlin Vari scored a combined 34 points and 27 rebounds against Buffalo. The pair also each recorded a double-double in the ballgame. It was Reinoehl's fifth of the season and Vari's fourth, while also the first time Reinoehl and Vari recorded a double-double in the same contest.
Akron defeated the Bulls for the first time since 2016 ending a six-game losing skid against Buffalo.
Haliegh Reinoehl recorded a new career-high in scoring after her 23 point performance in the win against Buffalo.
The Zips became 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.
Akron's defense held Buffalo's Cierra Dillard, the MAC's leading scorer and the second leading scorer in the nation, to 3-for-22 shooting from the floor and six turnovers.
The Zips defense forced 21 Buffalo turnovers, which are the third most in a single-game by the Akron D.
Shaunay Edmonds scored a career-high 33 points against Bowling Green.
The Akron offense scored 61 second-half points to lead the Zips to the win over the Falcons.
Ball control and quick hands. On the offensive side of the ball, Akron turned the ball over just four times on offense while the Zips defense recorded 16 steals and forced 21 turnovers against BG.
The Zips scored a season-high 37 points in the fourth quarter against the Falcons.
Akron swept Bowling Green in the season series for just the third time in program history and the first time since 2016. The Akron team also became the just eighth team in Akron program history to win at least 16 games in a season and the seventh Zips squad to do so in the Division I era.
From the charity stripe, Akron knocked down a season-high 24 free throws.
Megan Sefcik needs 37 points to reach the 1,000 point milestone. To complete the career mark in the final three games of the regular season, the redshirt senior needs to average at least 12.3 points per game.

Where They Rank in the MAC, as a team (as of 3/1)

Rated seventh in scoring (67.4 ppg)
Ranked fifth in scoring defense allowing just 65.2 points per contest.
Akron's +2.2 scoring margin is ranked eighth in the league.
Akron is rated ninth in field goal percentage (.405) and seventh in field goal percentage allowed (.400).
From long range, Akron ranks fourth in 3FG made per game (8.0) and fourth in 3FG% (.338).
Ranked fifth in free throw percentage (.741).
Rated sixth in rebounding defense (37.6), seventh in defensive rebounds (26.0 per game), and 10th in offensive rebounds (9.3)
The Zips 7.04 steals per contest are a league eighth-best.
Akron's 76 blocked shots (2.92 per/game) are third-best in the conference rankings.
Akron ranks sixth in turnover margin (1.50) and fifth assists/turnover ratio (0.96).

Where They Rank in the MAC, Individually (as of 3/1)

Megan Sefcik is rated fifth in scoring (16.8 pts/game).
In the rebounding category, Reinoehl has the seventh most boards per contest (7.1/game) and Caitlin Vari ranks eighth (7.1/game).
Sefcik ranks ninth in FG% (.412), sixth in 3FG% (.363), and fourth in 3FG made per game (3.1).
Shayna Harmon ranks ninth in assists (3.9 apg) and first in assist/turnover ratio (2.2).
Shaunay Edmonds ranks 13th in steals per game (1.7 per game) and Sefcik ranks 10th (1.8 per game).

Where They Rank in MAC Play, as a team (as of 3/1)

Rated fourth in scoring (69.3 ppg)
Akron is rated fifth in field goal percentage (.415).
From long range, Akron ranks second in 3FG made per game (8.3) and first in 3FG% (.356).
Ranked sixth in free throw percentage (.740).
Ninth in rebounding defense (38.4).
Akron's 47 blocked shots (3.13 per/game) are third-best the conference rankings.
The Zips are ranked seventh in assists averaging 13.07 dimes per game
Akron ranks sixth in turnover margin (0.67) and sixth assists/turnover ratio (0.97).

Where They Rank in MAC Play, Individually (as of 3/1)

Megan Sefcik is rated seventh in scoring (17.0 pts/game) and Shaunay Edmonds ranks 21st (12.6 pts/game).
In the rebounding category, Reinoehl has the seventh most boards per contest (8.4/game) and Caitlin Vari ranks eighth (7.5/game).
Sefcik ranks 10th in FG% (.403), 8th in 3FG% (.354), and third in 3FG made per game (3.1).
Shayna Harmon ranks fifth in assists (4.5 apg) and first in assist/turnover ratio (3.2).
Edmonds is rated 16th in steals per game (1.5 per game) and Sefcik ranks 11th (1.8 per game).
Vari stands fourth overall in blocked shots (1.3 per game).

Up Next
One final home game at James A. Rhodes Arena for the 2018-19 regular season is on tapped for the Akron women's basketball team. On Wednesday, March 6, the Zips host cross-town rival Kent State for part two of the Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center Wagon Wheel Challenge at 7 p.m. The game will also represent Senior Day for the Zips where Akron will honor Megan Sefcik and Fredniqua Walker prior to the start of the contest.