No. 8 Akron Has Sights Set On 2019 MAC Tournament As Zips Host No. 9 Eastern Michigan In Opening Round

Monday, March 11

Akron, Ohio

5 PM

University of Akron

Eastern Michigan

Tickets

No. 8 Akron Has Sights Set On 2019 MAC Tournament As Zips Host No. 9 Eastern Michigan In Opening Round

March 10 | Women's Basketball

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No. 8 Akron vs. No. 9 Eastern Michigan Game Notes (PDF) | 2019 MAC Tournament Bracket (PDF)

No. 8 Akron (16-13, 7-11 MAC) vs. No. 9 Eastern Michigan (13-16, 6-12 MAC)
Monday, March 11
Akron, Ohio • James A. Rhodes Arena • 5:00 p.m.

Game Information
Live Stats: GoZips.com
Watch: GoZips.com
Listen: GoZips.com
Tickets: GoZips.com

What's Ahead
The 2019 Mid-American Conference Women's Basketball Tournament is on deck for the Akron women's basketball team as the Zips have their sights set on a Conference championship. The Zips will enter the postseason tournament as the eighth seed and will host No. 9 Eastern Michigan at James A. Rhodes Arena a the first round contest on Monday, March 11, at 5 p.m.

The Zips Need Your Support
Tickets for the first round of the upcoming MAC Tournament at the JAR are available at GoZips.com/tickets or call 888-99-AKRON, starting at $15 for the men's game and $6 for women the women's game, while students will still receive free admission with a valid student ID. Ticket prices for the men's contest will increase $5 on gameday.

Stop, Watch, and Listen
The Zips' radio broadcast will air on 1350 Fox Sports with Bill Morgan calling the action live from the JAR. You can also tune in and stream the game live on ESPN+, HERE, with Michael Reghi (Play-by-play) and Jacki Windon (Analyst) on the call.

Zips History In The Mid-American Conference Tournament
The Akron women's basketball team is scheduled to compete in its 34th all-time Mid-American Conference Tournament contest on Monday, March 11. The Zips will host the first round of the league postseason tournament at James A. Rhodes Arena for just the third time in program history. Akron owns an all-time MAC Tournament record of 11-22 dating back to 1995

The Zips have squared off against Eastern Michigan twice in the postseason and will meet for the third time in the past nine years. Akron and the Eagles are tied in the postseason going 1-1. The Zips defeated EMU 72-46 in 2010 while the Eagles ended UA's championship hopes by a score of 95-66 in 2015.

Akron enters tourney play as the No. Eight seed for the third time since the league expanded to 12 members in 1998 and owns a 1-2 mark when competing in the Tournament as the eighth seed.

MAC Tournament Notes

Seven members of the current Akron roster have recorded playing time in the Mid-American Conference Tournament, however, only one current Zip, Megan Sefcik, has made it to Cleveland for the quarter, semi, or championship round.
In five Tournament contests, Sefcik averages 5.0, 1.4 rebounds, and 13.2 minutes per game.
Shaunay Edmonds, Alyssa Clay, Shayna Harmon, Haliegh Reinoehl, and Caitlin Vari each made their respective postseason debuts in 2017. Edmonds scored 14 points and dished out 11 assists, Reinoehl has grabbed a team-high 22 rebounds and scored 22 points, Vari owns two Tournament points and 12 rebounds, Harmon scored six points in 2018 to go along with seven rebounds and three assists.
Kynnedy Azubike competed in 12 minutes in her first postseason action and scored four points.
Head coach Melissa Jackson will be making her postseason coaching debut in 2019.

Scouting the Eagles
On the eve of the 2019 Mid-American Conference Tournament opening round, Eastern Michigan currently stands 13-16 overall after 29 games while finishing the 2018-19 campaign with a 6-12 mark. After EMU began the season 7-4 during its 11 non-conference games, the Eagles went on to open conference play 2-2, lost six of their next eight contests, and closed out the season 2-6 down the stretch including a season-closing 67-57 win against Ball State.

Danielle Minot paces the Eagles offense scoring 13.5 points per game which ranks 15th in the MAC. However, in league games, Minot has scored 13.4 points per game including 43 points against Buffalo. On the year, Minot is shooting .317 from the field, .240 from long range, and has pulled down a team second-best 155 rebounds (5.5/game). Minott's teammates, Corrione Cardwell and Courtnie Lewis are averaging 13.0 and 11.1 points per match-up, respectively, to round out the Eagles triple threat. Cardwell has added 78 assists, 66 steals, and averages 4.3 rebounds per game, while Lewis owns a 97 rebounds, 22 steals, and 18 assists. Combined the trio has scored 1,074 of the Eagles 1,902 total team points (60 percent).

Starting point guard Jenna Annecchiarico, who leads the Eagles in assists (94), ranks first in the MAC in Assist/Turnover ratio while also ranking 48th in the country. Eastern Michigan has quick hands on the defensive end of the court with 240 steals, fourth-best in the conference and 142nd in the NCAA. Cardewll ranks 69th in the nation in steals while Minott is rated 67th in steals per game (2.25).

Probable Starters
Eastern Michigan: 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, 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
Redshirt senior Megan Sefcik (Austintown, Ohio) scored a game-high 27 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter alone as the Akron women's basketball team attempted to complete a come-from-behind performance before Eastern Michigan was able to fend off the Zips down the stretch of the fourth quarter leading to a 67-60 Eagles victory.

Consistent offense and rebounding played a vital role in the contest in which the Eagles edged Akron in both categories. The Akron offense used various runs throughout the ballgame to keep within striking distance of the Eagles but could not seem to keep the offense rolling for long periods of time. The Eagles also bullied the Zips on the boards, 50-29, including 15-to-8 on the offensive glass.

For the game, Akron shot 33.8-percent (22-for-65) from the floor while Eastern Michigan finished the game shooting 42.9-percent (24-for-56). Akron could not get it going from distance connecting on just nine of its 29 attempts, five of which came from the hot hand of Sefcik.

The Zips were efficient at the free throw line hitting a perfect nine free throws in nine attempts and forced 19 turnovers which led to 15 points.

Individually, the Zips starters amassed all 60 points for Akron led by Sefcik's 27 points. Junior Haliegh Reinoehl (Westfield, Ind.) notched 10 points and reeled in a team-high nine rebounds. Junior guard Shayna Harmon (Ashville, Ohio) pitched in nine points and a game-high six assists while juniors Caitlin Vari (Richfield, Ohio) and Shaunay Edmonds (Pittsburgh, Pa.) both scored seven points.

Coaches
Eastern Michigan: Fred Castro is amidst is third season at the helm of the Eastern Michigan women's basketball program and owns a 29-61 overall record while going 12-45 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...

Advance No. 8 Akron to the Quarterfinals round of the 2019 MAC Tournament.
Earn its 17th victory of the 2018-19 season.
Give the Zips their 12th MAC Tournament victory and second over EMU.
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.

Zips Postseason Outlook
Under the guidance of Jackson, the Akron women's basketball team ended the 2018-19 regular-season campaign with a 16-13 overall record and 7-11 mark inside the Mid-American Conference. In Jackson's first season as head coach UA improved its record from last season by seven wins and captured four more conference victories.

Akron returned a core group of players while including redshirt senior Megan Sefcik (Austintown, Ohio) and juniors Shaunay Edmonds (Pittsburgh, Pa.), Haliegh Reinoehl (Westfield, Ind.), Caitlin Vari (Revere, Ohio), Shayna Harmon (Ashville, Ohio), and Alyssa Clay (Indianapolis, Ind.), who all played a significant role in the Zips on court success in 2018-19.

In her final season in an Akron uniform, Sefcik made it a point to go out in style in her senior season, and she is doing just that. Throughout the season, Sefcik made her mark as one of the best scorers and shooters in program history as she became the 15th Zip to eclipse the 1,000 career points milestone and is now third on the program's all-time made three-pointer list while becoming just the third Akron player to connect on over 200 made triple. Sefcik has turned in career numbers in almost every statistical category, including points (485), rebounds (101), assists (52), steals, (52), blocks (19), made field goals (163), and made three-pointers (89). Next up for Sefcik, get back to Cleveland and make one last run for a MAC Tournament Title.

Edmonds the Zips starting point guard has started all but two contests that she has played in since her freshman season (83 GP/81GS). The junior guard has the ability to score the ball efficiently while also controlling the floor, facilitate, make the extra pass, and pace the speed of the offense. In 23 regular season games, Edmonds averages 11.3 points per game, has dished out 64 assists, recorded 34 steals, and shoots at a 37-percent clip from the floor and 75-percent from the free throw line. Edmonds scored a career-high 33 points in the Zips win against Bowling Green, dished out a season-best nine assists against Northern Kentucky, and scored in double-figures in 14 games.

Reinoehl has become a staple in the frontcourt dating back to her freshman season making 75 consecutive starts for the Zips. The forward ended the year as the team's leading rebounder with 236 total rebounds (8.1 per contest) and third-leading scorer averaging 10.0 points per game. One of the Zips two inside forces, Reinoehl has posted 18 double-figure scoring performances, a team-high 8 double-doubles, and led the team in rebounding in 16 games. Reinoehl scored a career-high 23 points in Akron's win over Buffalo, pulled down a career-best 20 rebounds against Kent State, and now ranks ninth all-time in rebounding in program history.

Vari, a member of the Zips frontcourt, has played a vital role in the interior for Akron on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. Vari is tasked game in and game out with defending the opponent's top frontcourt player, owns a team-high 28 blocks, and according to coach Jackson, is one of, if not the best defender on the Akron roster. On the offensive side of the court, Vari has tallied a career-high 261 points (9.0 points/game) while reeling in a team second-best 6.9 rebounds per contest, including a team-high 85 rebounds and 115 defensive rebounds. Vari has recorded at least two offensive caroms in 22 games and led the Zips in offensive rebounds in 13 games.

Harmon has expanded her game over the course of the 2018-19 season that we did not see in her first two seasons in an Akon uniform. The junior guard has seen time as the Zips point guard, shooting guard, and small forward over the course of the season. With her versatility on the court, Harmon has recorded career-highs in points (201 total, 6.9 points/game), assists (team-high 111), rebounds (99 total, 3.4/game), and steals (29). Harmon is shooting 38.5-percent from the floor, 48.6-percent from long range, and 72.6-percent from the charity stripe.

Clay has taken on a sixth-man role for the Zips as one of the first players entering the game as a reserve. After a tough start to the season, Clay picked up her play as the seasoned turned to Mid-American Conference play. The Zips sharpshooter is averaging 4.5 points per game, shoots at a 37.7-percent clip from long range, and .328 from the floor. Heading into the Zips game against Western Michigan, the Zips guard was shooting just 5-of-33 from long range. But in four straight games, Clay went a perfect 10-for-10 from beyond the arc notching 30 of her then-62 points this season. The Zips sharpshooter was four three-pointers shy of tying the NCAA record for most consecutive three-pointers made, 14, that was set in 1996 by Deana Lansing of Portland University. Clay knocked down 46 three-pointers in 2017-18. Clay later scored a career-high 25 points against Ohio.

The freshmen trio of Gabrielle Brown-Mitchell (Solon, Ohio), Kendall Miller (Akron, Ohio), and Colleen Neitzel (Rocky River, Ohio) have seen significant playing time in their first seasons in an Akron uniform. The three Akron freshmen have played a combined 967 minutes, scored 226 points and tallied 60 assists.

Jackson named Sefcik, Reinoehl, and Vari as captains for the 2018-19 season.

Where They Rank in the MAC, as a team (as of 3/10)

Rated seventh in scoring (66.4 ppg)
Ranked sixth in scoring defense allowing just 65.7 points per contest.
Akron's +0.7 scoring margin is ranked eighth in the league.
Akron is rated ninth in field goal percentage (.399) and eighth in field goal percentage allowed (.400).
From long range, Akron ranks fourth in 3FG made per game (7.8) and fourth in 3FG% (.337).
Ranked fourth in free throw percentage (.745).
Rated sixth in rebounding defense (38.0), seventh in defensive rebounds (26.1 per game), and 10th in offensive rebounds (9.4)
Akron ranks eighth in turnover margin (0.90) and seventh assists/turnover ratio (0.93).
The Zips 6.72 steals per contest are a league 10th-best.
Akron's 82 blocked shots (2.83 per/game) are fourth-best in the conference rankings.
The Zips have tallied 373 assists and average 12.86 per game to rank seventh in the MAC.

Where They Rank in the MAC, Individually (as of 3/10)

Megan Sefcik is rated sixth in scoring (16.7 pts/game).
In the rebounding category, Reinoehl has the sixth most boards per contest (8.1/game) and Caitlin Vari ranks 10th (6.9/game).
Sefcik ranks ninth in FG% (.414), sixth in 3FG% (.360), fourth in 3FG made per game (3.1), and third in free throw percentage (.886), while Shayna Harmon ranks seventh (.789).
Shayna Harmon ranks 10th in assists (3.8 apg) and third in assist/turnover ratio (2.0).
Shaunay Edmonds ranks 16th in steals per game (1.55per game) and Sefcik ranks 10th (1.8 per game).
Vari stands sixth overall in blocked shots (1.0 per game).

Where They Rank in MAC Play, as a team (as of 3/10)

Rated sixth in scoring (67.5 ppg)
Akron is rated eighth in field goal percentage (.403).
From long range, Akron ranks third in 3FG made per game (7.9) and second in 3FG% (.353).
Ranked third in free throw percentage (.746).
10th in rebounding defense (39.3).
Akron's 53 blocked shots (2.94 per/game) are fifth-best in the conference rankings.
The Zips are ranked seventh in assists averaging 12.50 dimes per game
Akron ranks seventh in turnover margin (-0.17) and sixth assists/turnover ratio (0.91).

Where They Rank in MAC Play, Individually (as of 3/10)

Megan Sefcik is rated eighth in scoring (16.8 pts/game) and Shaunay Edmonds ranks 24th (11.8 pts/game).
In the rebounding category, Reinoehl has the seventh most boards per contest (9.0/game) and Caitlin Vari ranks 10th (7.2/game).
Sefcik ranks eighth in FG% (.407), seventh in 3FG% (.351), third in free throw percentage (.878), and third in 3FG made per game (3.0).
Shayna Harmon ranks seventh in assists (4.3 apg) and first in assist/turnover ratio (2.7).
Edmonds is rated 20th in steals per game (1.3per game) and Sefcik ranks 11th (1.7 per game).
Vari stands fourth overall in blocked shots (1.2 per game).

The Newest Member Of Che Club
In the past 44 season's in Akron women's basketball history, the Zips now have 15 players who have donned an Akron uniform that are members of the 1,000 point club dating back to 1979 when Casey O'Connor was the first Zip in program history to accomplish such feat. Redshirt senior Megan Sefcik became the most recent Zip to achieve the career milestone in the final regular-season competition of her career. Heading into Akron's contest regular-season finale against Miami, Sefcik had recorded 999 career points. On her first basket of the game, Sefcik continued her etch her name as one of the best scorers in program history.

Rebound Machine
Against Kent State, junior forward Haliegh Reinoehl collected a career-high 20 boards off the glass. Amidst those 20 rebounds, Reinoehl moved into ninth place on the program's all-time rebounding list with 651 career caroms. Reinoehl surpassed Anita Brown and Alisa Peddicord on the program's all-time top-ten list. The junior is just 67 rebounds away from moving into the seventh place.

Reinoehl's 20 rebounds against the Golden Flashes are also tied for seventh-most in a single-game by an Akron player. Reinoehl is tied with Kim Knowles, Kerry Mossburg, and Cheryl Bowles.

Up Next
If the Akron women's basketball defeats No. 9 Eastern Michigan at James A. Rhodes Arena on Monday, March 11, the Zips will move on to the quarterfinals round of the 2019 Mid-American Conference. The second round is hosted at Quicken Loans Arena in downtown Cleveland. The winner of the Zips and Eagles contests will take on the No. 1 overall seed, Central Michigan, on Wednesday, March 13, at Noon.