Akron Heads to YSU for Monday Night Clash

Monday, November 15

Youngstown, Ohio

7:00 PM

University of Akron

Youngstown State

November 14 | Women's Basketball

AKRON, Ohio- The Akron women's basketball team (2-0) travels to Youngstown State (1-0) on Tuesday, Nov. 15. Tip time between the Zips and Penguins is set for 7 p.m. at the Beeghly Center.

THE GAME
Akron (2-0) vs. Youngstown State (1-0)
Saturday, Nov. 15 | Beeghly Center | 7 PM

BROADCAST
ESPN+: https://es.pn/3qDODC0
Radio: Bill Morgan (pbp), 640 WHLO AM
Live Stats:

YOUNGSTOWN STATE HEAD COACH
John Barnes
Record at YSU: 128-112

AKRON HEAD COACH
Melissa Jackson
Record at Akron: 40-44

ALL-TIME SERIES
YSU leads the all-time series, 41-20

The Zips and Penguins are scheduled to meet on the hardwood for the 60th time in each program's respective history. Youngstown State holds the all-time series advantage over Akron, 40-19. However, most recently, the Zips have defeated Penguins in five of the last six match-ups dating back to 2013. The Zips downed the Penguins 91-62 back in 2019.

LAST TIME OUT
The Zips improved to 2-0 after claiming a 60-50 win over Robert Morris on the road on Saturday. Akron used a 16-2 scoring run in the third quarter en route to a 60-50 victory over Robert Morris.

Akron had two players score in double-figures with redshirt senior Jordyn Dawson (Huntington, W Va.) leading the way with 22 points, scoring 18 of her 22 in the second half, to go along with five rebounds and four assists. Freshman Reagan Bass (Strongsville, Ohio) rounded out the double-figure scoring with career-high 11-point, three-rebound and two-block performance.

Robert Morris opened the third quarter on a 4-1 mini-run that extended the Colonial's lead to 35-26. Akron's offense got hot, putting together a commanding 16-2 scoring run that gave the Zips their first lead of the game, 43-40. The Zips outscored RMU, 19-11 in the third quarter, shooting 61.5 percent (8-of-13) from the floor.

ZIP TIPS
- The 2021-22 season marks the 48^th season of competition for the Akron women's basketball program.
- As a team, Akron ranks s27th in the NCAA in defensive rebounds per game (33.0), 60th in rebounds per game (42.0), 36^th in three-point FG made (18.0), 17^th in fewest turnovers (9), and 40^th in blocked shots per game (7.0).
- Dawson led the Zips a year ago averaging a team-high 15.9 points and 6.9 rebounds per game en route to a third-team All-MAC accolade.
- Dawson is rated 11th in the NCAA in points per game (26.5) and fifth in FG made (20), fifth in steals (9).
- Akron is returns nearly its entire 2020-21 roster including ncluding seniors Gabrielle Brown-Mitchell (Solon, Ohio)(4.2 ppg), Kendall Miller (Akron, Ohio)(5.5 ppg, 2.33 apg) and Colleen Neitzel (Rocky River, Ohio)(5.2 ppg, 3.9 rpg), junior Lonasia Brewer (Akron, Ohio) (10.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg) and redshirt sophomore Emma Tecca (Tallmadge, Ohio) (5.4 ppg), who all started in double-figure contests for the Zips. Juniors Rachel Martindale (Pittsburgh, Pa.)(5.8 ppg) and Molly Neitzel (Rocky River, Ohio)(6.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg), redshirt sophomore Layne Ferrell (Franklin, Ohio)(5.5 ppg) and sophomore Alexis Stewart (Hamilton, Ontario) (2.9 ppg) added valuable contributions for Akron appearing in double-digit games last season.
- Making their Akron debuts against Slippery Rock were redshirt freshman Alana Carter (Mason, Ohio), freshmen Reagan Bass (Strongsville, Ohio), Zakia Rasheed (Avon, Ind.), and sophomore Annika Corcoran (Painesville, Ohio).

SCOUTING YOUNGSTOWN STATE
The Penguins, stand 1-0 under the direction of 9^th-year head coach John Barnes after taking down MAC opponent Eastern Michigan, 70-67 on the road. Lilly Ritz had 13 points and a team-high eight rebounds, and Chelsea Olson finished with 13 points, four assists and four rebounds as one of three Penguins to make three 3-pointers. Paige Shy also scored 13 points and made three triples, and she had a big offensive rebound in the final 20 seconds with YSU clinging to a two-point advantage.

YSU is averaging 70 points per game on 40.38 percent shooting (21-of-52) from the floor and 50.0 percent (11-of-22) from long range.

Defensively, the Penguins have held their opponents to 61 points per game on 38 percent shooting (21-of-54) from the floor and only 38 percent (7-of-18) from beyond the arc. YSU has s16 turnovers while collecting six steals. On the glass, the Colonials have been out-rebounded by opponents, 33-35 for a -2 margin.

UP NEXT
The Zips will hit the road again as Akron travels to Pittsburgh, Pa. to take on Duquesne on Tuesday, Nov.23. Tip time is scheduled for 7 p.m.