Zips Begin Homestand with Western Michigan

Wednesday, February 2

Akron, Ohio

7:00 PM

University of Akron

Western Michigan

February 01 | Women's Basketball

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Akron Game Notes (PDF) | Western Michigan Game Notes (PDF)

AKRON, Ohio- The Akron women's basketball team opens a two-game homestand as the Zips host Western Michigan on Wednesday, Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. at James A. Rhodes Arena.

THE GAME
Akron (9-6, 6-3 MAC) vs. Western Michigan (11-6, 5-3 MAC)
Wednesday, Feb. 2| James A. Rhodes Arena| 7:00 PM

BROADCAST
ESPN3: https://es.pn/3AQVYBh
Radio: Bill Morgan (pbp), 640 WHLO AM
Live Stats: https://bit.ly/3oivfZ7

WESTERN MICHIGAN HEAD COACH
Shane Clipfell
Overall Record: 156-150 (11th Season)
Record at WMU: 143-148 (10th Season)

AKRON HEAD COACH
Melissa Jackson
Overall Record: 47-50 (4^th Season)
Record at Akron: 47-50 (4^th Season)

ALL-TIME SERIES
Akron and Western Michigan are meeting for the 47th time in program history, with the Broncos owning a 34-12 series edge. A year ago, Western Michigan came away with a 74-66 victory over the Zips in Kalamazoo.

LAST TIME OUT
The Zips improved to 9-6 overall and 6-3 MAC after the Zips came away with a 70-60 victory over Central Michigan on Saturday afternoon. The Zips shot lights out from beyond the arc shooting 47.1 percent (8-of-17) from long range along with out-rebounding Central Michigan, 48-30, and 18-12 on offensive boards. Redshirt senior Jordyn Dawson (Huntington, W Va.) the only player ranked in the top five in the MAC for both scoring and rebounding – was once again an all-around force with 23 points, 12 rebounds, recording her eighth double-double. Sophomore guard Layne Ferrell (Franklin, Ohio) added 15 points knocking down 3-of-4 triples, and nine boards.

ZIP TIPS
- The 2021-22 season marks the 48th season of competition for the Akron women's basketball program.
- As a team, Akron ranks 16^th in defensive rebounds per game (7.8), 35^th in the NCAA and lead the conference in fewest turnovers (230), 35th in fewest fouls (252).
- Akron ranks 80th in the NCAA and second in the conference in Blocked shots per game (3.7).
- Jordyn 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. She leads the team averaging 19.6 points and 9.6 rebounds and leads the team with 36 steals.
- In conference play, Dawson is averaging a double-double with 21.8 points per game, and 11.4 rebounds, while gathering 21 steals and three blocks. She has score in double-figures in nine straight games, six being 20+ points.
- In her career as a Zip, Dawson has 998 pts, two points shy from hitting the 1,000 point mark.
- Jordyn Dawson is rated 67^th in NCAA and second in conference stats in free-throw percentage (78.1), 27^th in points per game (19.6), 39th in steals per game (2.57), and 49^th in rebounds per game (9.6).
- Dawson ranks 35^th in double-doubles (67 and ranks second in league stats.
- In conference play, freshman Reagan Bass is second on the team in points per game (11.6). Bass has scored in double-figures in eight of the last nine games, reaching a career-high mark of 23 points (EMU).
- Bass ranks 89^th in the country in free-throw percentage (81.4).
- Akron owns a 35-19 mark under head coach Melissa Jackson when shooting 40 percent or better from the field, including a 7-2record this season. When hitting at a 35-percent clip or better from beyond the arc, the Zips maintain a 23-15 mark, including a 2-2 record this season.
- The Akron bench is shooting more than 34 percent (34.6) from the field and at a .29 clip beyond the arc this season.
- Seven different Akron players have scored in double figures this season led by Jordyn Dawson tallying 10 or more points in 13 contests this year. She is joined by Reagan Bass (8) and Lonasia Brewer (5), Layne Ferrell (5), Annika Corcoran (3), Kendall Miller (2).
- Akron has connected on five or more three-pointers in 11 games this season, and 42 of its last 47 contests overall. The Zips hit on a season-high 13 triples in a 97-54 win over Slippery Rock, the best single-game effort for Akron since making 16 three-pointers in the opening round of the 2018 Mid-American Conference Tournament on March 5, 2018.
- Akron is scoring 42.0 percent of its point in the paint this season, averaging 27.6 percent points in the paint per game.
- Akron is a perfect 5-0 at home and is averaging 78.8 points when playing at the JAR.
- The Zips are shooting 41.8 percent (315-754) from the field and 85-264 percent (32.2) from beyond the arc. Akron has been out-rebounded by its opponents, 503-447 for a -4.3 margin. Akron has 198 turnovers averaging (15.2 turnovers per game) and has 92 steals (7.1 per game).
- Akron is returning nearly its entire 2020-21 roster including 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.

SCOUTING WMU
The Broncos, stand 11-6 overall and 5-3 in conference play under the direction of 10th-year head coach Shane Clipfell after a 61-47 loss against Northern Illinois on Monday night. The Broncos were led tonight by Reilly Jacobson, who finished with 15 points on 6-10 shooting and 3-6 from three-point territory, as well as four rebounds and a pair of blocked shots. The WMU bench was another bright spot tonight, accounting for 19 of the team's 47 points on the evening. Junior guard Sydney Shafer led all Bronco reserves with 12 points on 4-10 shooting and 3-6 from three in her time on the court.

WMU is averaging 65.7 points per game on 41.4 percent shooting (404-977) from the floor and 120-389 shooting (30.8 percent) from long range. The Broncos have a trio of players averaging in double-figures. Lauren Ross leads the Broncos in scoring at 18.8 points per game, while Reilly Jacobson and Taylor Williams are averaging 11.6 and 11.2 points per game.

Defensively, the Broncos have held their opponents to 59.8 points per game on 41.4 percent shooting from the floor and 30.8 percent from beyond the arc. WMU has 264 turnovers (15.5 turnovers per game) while collecting 168 steals (9.9 steals per game). On the glass, the Broncos have been out-rebounded their opponents, 623-572 for a -3.0 margin.

UP NEXT
The Zips will return home on Saturday, Feb. 5 as Akron closes out the series with Toledo at 2 p.m. at James A. Rhodes Arena.