Women's Basketball Concludes Regular Season At Miami

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Akron (16-12, 7-10 MAC) vs. Miami (21-7, 12-5 MAC)
Saturday, March 9
Oxford, Ohio • Millett Hall • 2:00 p.m.
Live Stats: GoZips.com
Watch: GoZips.com
Listen: GoZips.com

What's Ahead
One final game stands between the Akron women's basketball team and the start of the 2019 postseason as the Zips head out on the road to conclude their regular-season against Miami, which currently stands third in the MAC East and fourth overall. Tip-off from Millett Hall in Oxford, Ohio is scheduled for 2 p.m.,

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

Scouting the RedHawks
With one game remaining in the 20181-19 regular season, Miami has secured a top four seed to the upcoming MAC Tournament, however, its final seeding has yet to be determined as the RedHawks can be as high as the three seed or as low as No. 4. Miami entered league play after posting a 9-2 non-conference record. After opening MAC play with its two losses in three games to NIU and Buffalo, Miami rolled in league play and won 11 straight games over the course of five weeks. Although, as of late, the RedHawks have dropped three straight down the stretch to enter the final contest with a 12-5 league mark.

Three active RedHawks lead the offensive efforts and average double figures, including Lauren Dickerson (16.1), Savannah Kluesner (13.8), and Kendall McCoy (11.6). Dickerson, Miami's leading scorer, has also posted a team-high 145 assists and 63 steals which rank 39th and 71st in the nation along with third and sixth, respectively, in the MAC. Kluesner, a member of the RedHawks frontcourt, owns a team-best 8.2 rebounds per game, including 65 offensive and 165 defensive rebounds. McCoy, one of the most efficient shooters on the RedHawks roster is shooting 42.3-percent from and at a 37.5-percent clip from long range while connecting on the second-most triples (48).

In the NCAA, Dickerson ranks 36th in assists per game (5.2), 39th in assists, 20th in field goal attempts (482), 38th in three-point field goal attempts (218), and 47th in assists/turnover ratio (2.16). As a unit, the RedHawks are rated third in three-point field goal defense (.245), 19th in fewest turnovers (369), 31st in turnovers per game (13.2), 44th in assist/turnover ratio (1.12), 86th in scoring margin (+6.8), and 85th in assists per game (14.8).

Probable Starters
Miami: Lauren Dickerson, Savannah Kluesner, Kendall McCoy, Leah Purvis, Baleigh Reid.

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

Series History
Miami and Akron are set to compete for the 55th time this season since the two programs first met in 1982. In the previous 54 meetings between the Zips and RedHawks, Akron trails in the all-time series, 16-38. Prior to losing its last four contests against Miami, the Zips won six straight games over the RedHawks from 2014-2016 and eight of nine from 2013-16.

Last Time Out
Wrapping up its longest Mid-American Conference homestand of the season, the Akron women's basketball team fell 67-61 to the MAC-leading Miami RedHawks on Saturday afternoon.

On "Akron for NAKON" Day at James A. Rhodes Arena to raise awareness and support for the fight against cancer, junior forward Caitlin Vari (Richfield, Ohio) led the Zips (14-9, 5-7 MAC) with 14 points, six rebounds, an assist and one block. Junior forward Haliegh Reinoehl (Westfield, Ind.) notched her fourth double-double of the campaign with 12 points and 11 rebounds and redshirt senior guard Megan Sefcik (Austintown, Ohio) had 12 points, four rebounds, two steals, and a pair of triples.

At the end of the 40-minute contest between Akron and Miami, the Zips turned in a .426 shooting percentage from the floor which included a game-high 56.3-percent (9-for-16) in the fourth period. Akron's offense saw 50 percent of its point production in the paint scoring 30 points in the interior and 18 points from beyond the arc (6-for-18).

Coaches
Miami: Megan Duffy, is amidst her second season running the Miami women's basketball program since taking over in 2017. In her first season with the RedHawks, Duffy led Miami to a 22-11 overall record, an appearance in the MAC tournament semi-finals, and participated in the WNIT postseason tournament.

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 Miami, Akron Would...

Earn its 17th victory of the 2018-19 season.
Give the Zips their eighth MAC win and move to 8-10 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 Miami.
Claim its 17th win over the Golden Flashes.
Snap a two-game losing skid and head in into the MAC Tournament with a win.

If The MAC Tournament Started Today
The Akron women's basketball team clinched the eighth seed in the upcoming 2019 Mid-American Conference Women's Basketball Tournament. The Zips will enter the postseason hosting a home game at James A. Rhodes Arena in the first round on Monday, March 11. The Zips opponent is up in the air heading into Saturday's season finale as Akron could host either Eastern Michigan or Western Michigan at 5 p.m. inside the JAR.

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.

Newest Member Of The Club???
In the past 44 seasons' in Akron women's basketball history, the Zips have 14 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 is just one point away from reaching the 1,000 point milestone as she sits with 999 career points.

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 23rd 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 31 of her last 40 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 27 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.
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 27 games
The Akron offense has made a minimum of five three-pointers in 26 of its 28 games including a season-high 12 triples on three different occasions.
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, 561-512.
Akron has only entered the halftime intermission trailing its opponent 13 times through 28 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 20 of its 28 games including a season-high 24.
Shayna Harmon dished out a career-high seven assists against Canisius.
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.
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 the Zips win against Western Michigan.
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 then 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 8,898 minutes and have played in a combined 3,736 games since their freshman season.
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 14 of the last 16 games, the Zips have had at least three players score in double figures and in 20 of their 28 contests overall. Akron is 12-8 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 1 point to reach the 1,000 career point milestone.
In the Zips last eight contests, Akron has outscored its opponent in the fourth quarter in seven times.
In the fourth quarters vs. Ohio and Bowling Green, Akron scored a combined 71 points.
Tale of two halves. Akron shot 25.1-percent from the floor in the first half against Ohio before turning in a 54.8-percent clip in the second half, including a season-best 73.3-percent in the fourth quarter.
Against Kent State, the Zips went into just their second overtime game of the campaign. The Zips are 1-1 in extra time.
Shaunay Edmonds tied the game against the Golden Flashes with 12.7 seconds left with a driving layup, drew the foul, and hit the free throw to complete the and-one.
Megan Sefcik ranks 20th in the nation averaging 3.11 triples per contest, rated 21st in three-point field goals made (87), 16th in three-point field goals attempted (242), 109th in three-point field goal percentage (.360), and 98th in points per game (16.9).
Shayna Harmon's 1.98 assist/turnover ratio ranks 71st in the NCAA.
As a unit, the Akron ranks 49th in three-point field goals made per game (7.8), 58th in three-point field goals made (218), 69th in three-point field goal attempts (648), and 75th in three-point field goal percentage (.336).
The Akron offense has taken care of the ball well through its 28 games with just 387 turnovers which ranks 43rd in the nation and their 13.8 turnovers per game rank 62nd.
As a team, the Zips rank 40th in the NCAA in free throw percentage at 74.4-percent.
Only eight teams have made more than 25 field goals in a contest through 28 games against the Akron defense.
Sefcik has made four three-pointers in 11 games, at least one triple in 27 of 28 games, and a single-game season-high of six netted triples against Northern Kentucky and Toledo.
The Zips have reeled in 266 offensive rebounds through 28 games. Akron has turned their second chances into 230 points.
Caitlin Vari has grabbed a team-best 84 offensive boards, including a season-best eight against Canisius, at least two offensive caroms in 22 games, and recorded a team-high in offensive rebounds in 13 games.

Where They Rank in the MAC, as a team (as of 3/8)

Rated seventh in scoring (67.1 ppg)
Ranked sixth in scoring defense allowing just 65.7 points per contest.
Akron's +1.4 scoring margin is ranked eighth in the league.
Akron is rated ninth in field goal percentage (.402) and sixth in field goal percentage allowed (.397).
From long range, Akron ranks fourth in 3FG made per game (7.8) and fourth in 3FG% (.336).
Ranked fourth in free throw percentage (.744).
Rated fifth in rebounding defense (37.9), fifth in defensive rebounds (26.3 per game), and 10th in offensive rebounds (9.5)
Akron ranks eighth in turnover margin (0.93) and seventh assists/turnover ratio (0.94).
The Zips 6.75 steals per contest are a league 10th-best.
Akron's 79 blocked shots (2.82 per/game) are fifth-best in the conference rankings.
The Zips have tallied 366 assists and average 13.07 per game to rank seventh in the MAC.

Where They Rank in the MAC, Individually (as of 3/8)

Megan Sefcik is rated sixth in scoring (16.9 pts/game) and Shaunay Edmonds is ranked 22nd (11.7 pts/game
In the rebounding category, Reinoehl has the sixth most boards per contest (8.2/game) and Caitlin Vari ranks ninth (7.0/game).
Sefcik ranks 10th in FG% (.414), sixth in 3FG% (.360), fourth in 3FG made per game (3.1), and third in free throw percentage (.886).
Shayna Harmon ranks ninth in assists (3.9 apg) and third in assist/turnover ratio (2.0).
Shaunay Edmonds ranks 16th in steals per game (1.65per 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 3/8)

Rated fourth in scoring (68.6 ppg)
Akron is rated eighth in field goal percentage (.409).
From long range, Akron ranks third in 3FG made per game (8.0) and second in 3FG% (.352).
Ranked third in free throw percentage (.745).
Eighth in rebounding defense (39.1).
Akron's 50 blocked shots (2.94 per/game) are sixth-best the conference rankings.
The Zips are ranked seventh in assists averaging 12.82 dimes per game
Akron ranks seventh in turnover margin (-0.18) and sixth assists/turnover ratio (0.94).

Where They Rank in MAC Play, Individually (as of 3/8)

Megan Sefcik is rated eighth in scoring (17.1 pts/game) and Shaunay Edmonds ranks 23rd (12.4 pts/game).
In the rebounding category, Reinoehl has the seventh most boards per contest (9.2/game) and Caitlin Vari ranks eighth (7.4/game).
Sefcik ranks 10th in FG% (.407), seventh in 3FG% (.349), and third in 3FG made per game (3.1).
Shayna Harmon ranks fifth in assists (4.4 apg) and first in assist/turnover ratio (2.6).
Edmonds is rated 19th in steals per game (1.4 per game) and Sefcik ranks 12th (1.7 per game).
Vari stands fourth overall in blocked shots (1.2 per game).

Up Next
The 2019 Mid-American Conference Women's Basketball Tournament is on deck for the Akron women's basketball team as the regular season comes to a close. The Zips will enter the postseason tournament as the eighth seed and will host a home game at James A. Rhodes Arena in the first round on Monday, March 11. The Zips opponent is up in the air heading into Saturday's season finale as Akron could host either Eastern Michigan or Western Michigan at 5 p.m. inside the JAR.

Women's Basketball Concludes Regular Season At Miami

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

Women's Basketball Concludes Regular Season At Miami

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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