Akron Closes Homestand Hosting Robert Morris

Wednesday, November 23

Akron, Ohio

6:00 PM

University of Akron

Robert Morris

November 22 | Women's Basketball

Akron (2-1) vs. Robert Morris (4-0)
Wednesday, Nov. 23
James A. Rhodes Arena
Akron, Ohio • 6 p.m.

Series History: Akron leads 14-8
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WHAT'S AHEAD
The University of Akron women's basketball team concludes its three-game homestand on Wednesday, Nov. 23 as the Zips welcome Robert Morris to James A. Rhodes Arena. The 6 p.m. tilt with the Colonials will be broadcast on ESPN+ with Michael Reghi and Jeff Phelps on the call as well as 99.7 Canton's New Country with Bill Morgan calling the action.

HEAD COACHES
Robert Morris: Charlie Buscaglia (Manhattan, 2003), Overall Record: 113-65 (Seventh Season), Record at Robert Morris: 113-65 (Seventh Season)
Akron: Melissa Jackson (Dayton, 2004), Overall Record: 57-57 (Fifth Season), Record at Akron: 57-57 (Fifth Season)

SCOUTING ROBERT MORRIS
Robert Morris enters its contest at Akron this Wednesday, Nov. 23, at 4-0 on the campaign on the heels of a 87-48 victory over Wheeling on Nov. 14.

Sophomore F Phoenix Gedeon headlines Robert Morris' efforts averaging 16.3 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, while sophomore C Danielle Vuletich and sophomore G Simone Morris are registering 9.5 and 7.8 points per outing. As a unit, the Colonials are recording 71.0 points, 36.5 rebounds, 15.8 assists, 12.3 steals and 1.5 blocks per outing.

Robert Morris is rated first in the NCAA in winning percentage (1.000), second in three point defense (14.8), third in scoring defense (43.8), fourth in turnover margin (16.00), seventh in turnovers forced per contest (28.25), 20th in field goal percentage defense (.319), 22nd in turnovers per tilt (12.2), 25th in scoring margin (27.2), 39th in steals per game (12.2) and 41st in assist/turnover ratio (1.29).

SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Robert Morris are meeting for the 23rd time in program history, with the Zips owning a 14-8 series edge following a 60-50 road victory by Akron on Nov. 13, 2021.

IN OUR LAST MEETING (NOV. 13, 2021 - MOON TOWNSHIP, PA.)
Akron used a 16-2 scoring run in the third quarter en route to a 60-50 victory over Robert Morris on Nov. 13, 2021 at the UPMC Events Center.

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

Akron collected 11 steals as a team with Dawson snagging six. The Zips forced 20 Colonial miscues scoring 22 points off Robert Morris turnovers.

AKRON RALLIES PAST YOUNGSTOWN STATE, 61-44
Behind a dominant stretch spanning the course of the second and third quarters, the Akron women's basketball team came from behind to defeat visiting Youngstown State, 61-44, in a non-league showdown on Friday, Nov. 18 at James A. Rhodes Arena.

Akron dominated the second and third quarters thanks to its defense, outscoring the Penguins, 40-10, to power their way to its second win of the season.

Redshirt junior G Layne Ferrell (Franklin, Ohio) paced a balanced Akron offensive attack with a team-high 15 points. Senior G Dominique Camp (Dayton, Ohio) added 15 with four steals, while freshman F Faith Stinson (Thornville, Ohio) chipped in with a career-high nine points and five rebounds in the win. But it was the defense that stole the show, helping the Zips overcome a slow start.

The Zips finished the contest connecting on 42.9 percent of their attempts from the field, including making seven triples. Akron tallied 10 steals, seven blocks and 11 points in transition and held the visitors to 31.1-percent shooting mark, including 1-of-20 from beyond the arc, and forced 19 turnovers.

Senior F Lilly Ritz led Youngstown State with 23 points and was the only player in double figures for the Penguins.

ZIP TIDBITS
• Akron is ranked 18th in the NCAA in field goal percentage (.487), 19th in assists per game (19.0) and 49th in blocks per outing (5.0) and three point defense (23.9). Individually, Layne Ferrell is rated 12th in assist/turnover ratio (4.50), while Rachel Martindale is 26th in minutes per tilt (37.84) and Dominique Camp ranks 32nd in steals per game (3.33).
• Akron posted back-to-back shooting efforts of 50 percent or better from the field to start the season as the Zips connected on 52.8 and 50.9 percent of their attempts against Dayton and Oakland. It marked the first time since contests against Miami (March 5, 2022) and Bowling Green (March 9, 2022) last season that Akron has done so in consecutive games.
• Four different Akron players have scored in double figures this season led by Layne Ferrell tallying 10 or more points in three contests this year. She was joined by Reagan Bass (2), Dominique Camp (1) and Rachel Martindale (1).
• The 2022-23 season marks the 49th season of competition for the Akron women's basketball program.
• Akron owns a 47-23 mark under head coach Melissa Jackson when shooting 40 percent or better from the field, including a 2-1 record this season. When hitting at a 35-percent clip or better from beyond the arc, the Zips maintain a 30-18 mark, including an 1-0 ledger this season.
• Akron has connected on five or more three pointers in both of its three games this season, and 56 of its last 66 contests overall. A year ago, the Zips hit on a season-high 13 triples in a 76-35 win over Slippery Rock on Nov. 9, 2021.
• Rachel Martindale, Molly Neitzel, Layne Ferrell, Reagan Bass, Alexis Stewart and sophomore Zakia Rasheed (Avon, Ind.) have appeared in 67, 67, 53, 29, 29 and 27 career games, respectively, for the Zips. Bass is Akron's leading active scorer averaging 12.5 points and 5.76 rebounds. Martindale is the Zips' active leader in three-point shooting connecting on 35.9 percent of her attempts.

ZIPS' OFFENSIVE PROGRESS REPORT
In Akron's three games this season ago, this is how the Zips have fared from the field: 50 percent: .528 (Dayton), .509 (Oakland), 40 percent: .420 (Youngstown State), 30 percent: NA, 20 percent: NA

ZIPS' DEFENSIVE PROGRESS REPORT
In the Zips' three games this season ago, this is how the Zips have fared defensively: 50 percent: NA, 40 percent: NA, 30 percent: .386 (Dayton), .379 (Oakland), .311 (Youngstown State), 20 percent: NA.

HOME COOKING
Inside the friendly confines of James A. Rhodes Arena, the Zips have seen a lot of success over the course of the past 18 seasons. When playing on its home court, Akron owns a 119-76 record dating back to the 2004-05 campaign.

This season, the Zips are 2-0 in the JAR, averaging 73.0 points per tilt and connecting on nearly 48 percent (.487) of their attempts from the field, while recording 33.0 rebounds, 19.0 assists, 9.5 steals and 6.0 blocks per game.

Individually, Layne Ferrell, Reagan Bass and Dominique Camp are enjoying playing on their home court this season averaging double-figures inside James A. Rhodes Arena owning a 18.5, 16.5 and 11.5 points per game, respectively.

UP NEXT
Akron travels to Highland Heights, Ky., for a 7 p.m. showdown with Northern Kentucky on Monday, Nov. 28.