The University of Akron Athletics

Akron WBB Opens 50th Season Hosting Oakland
November 05 | Women's Basketball
Akron (0-0) vs. Oakland (0-0)
Monday, Nov. 6
James A. Rhodes Arena
Akron, Ohio • 7:00 p.m.
Series History: Oakland leads 4-1
Live Stream: www.GoZips.com (subscription may be required) and ESPN App
Television: www.GoZips.com (subscription may be required) and ESPN App
Live Stats:Â www.GoZips.comÂ
Live Radio: www.GoZips.com
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WHAT'S AHEAD
The University of Akron women's basketball team is set to commence its 50th season on Monday (Nov. 6) as the Zips welcome Oakland to James A. Rhodes Arena. The 7 p.m. tilt will be broadcast on ESPN+ with Michael Reghi and Jeff Phelps calling the game as well as on 640 WHLO AM with Bill Morgan.
HEAD COACHES
Oakland: Jeff Tungate (Oakland, 1993), Overall Record: 130-165 (11th Season), Record at Oakland: 130-165 (11th Season)
Akron: Ryan Gensler (St. Joseph's, 2009), Overall Record: 0-0 (First Season), Record at Akron: 0-0 (First Season)
SCOUTING OAKLAND
Oakland enters its season opener at Akron on Monday (Nov. 6) on the heels of a 13-17 overall record a season ago, including an 8-12 mark in the Horizon League.
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The Golden Grizzlies are led by the return of sophomore G Brooke Quarles-Daniels, who averaged team-high-marks in scoring (12.1), rebounding (5.5), assists (2.9) and steals (2.1) a year ago. Additionally, senior F Alexis Johnson, recorded 11.0 points and a team-best 5.5 rebounds per contest. As a unit, Oakland registered 65.5 points, 37.7 rebounds, 11.1 assists, 8.4 steals and 2.3 blocks per game.
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As a team, Oakland ranked 18th in the NCAA in offensive rebounding (14.7) and 37th in bench scoring (23.4).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Oakland are meeting for the sixth time in program history. The Golden Grizzlies lead the series, 4-1. In the last meeting between the schools, Oakland earned an 74-67 triumph past Akron on Nov. 7, 2022 in Rochester, Mich.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (NOV. 7, 2022 – ROCHESTER, MICH.)
Akron battled down to the wire at Oakland before the Golden Grizzlies exited the 2022-23 season opener for both schools with a 74-67 triumph.
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Junior Reagan Bass (Strongsville, Ohio) paced three Akron players registering double-figure scoring efforts with a team-high 18 points on 8-of-13 shooting. Rachel Martindale and Layne Ferrell added 15 and 11 points, respectively.
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Kennedy Mondue led four Golden Grizzlies finishing in double-figures with a game-high 21-point performance.
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The Zips capped the evening shooting nearly 51 percent (.509) from the floor, including connecting on six three pointers. Akron turned in a strong defensive effort limiting Oakland to a .379 shooting mark. The difference in the contest came at the charity stripe where the Golden Grizzlies were 23-of-31, while the Zips went to the line eight times, converting on five attempts.
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Akron posted advantages on the evening in rebounding (34-33), assists (19-11), points in the paint (36-20) and blocked shots (3-0), while Oakland tallied a 22-11 edge in points off turnovers.
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BASS GARNERS PRESEASON ALL-MAC ACCOLADES
Akron's Reagan Bass was among those honored when the Mid-American Conference unveiled its preseason women's basketball teams and coaches poll on Nov. 2.
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Bass was tabbed a First-Team All-MAC preseason selection, while as a unit, the Zips were picked to place sixth the preseason coaches poll.
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Bass, a 2022-23 MAC First-Team honoree, averaged 17.1 points and 7.7 rebounds per contest a year ago, both team-high marks.
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ZIP TIDBITS
• The 2023-24 season marks the 50th season of competition for the Akron women's basketball program.
• Reagan Bass enters action versus Oakland having amassed 825 career points, to go along with 386 career rebounds.
• Akron ranked 24th in the NCAA in defensive rebounds (28.7), 28th in free throw percentage (.771), 37th in assists per outing (15.7) and 50th in free throws made per contest (14.13). Individually, Reagan Bass was 25th in free throw attempts (196) and 28th in free throws made (153).
• With her 16-point outing against Central Michigan on March 4, 2023, Reagan Bass surpassed the 800-point plateau at Akron, becoming the fastest Zip to reach that scoring benchmark in her 55th career contest.
• Akron held a pair of league opponents under 50 points in a game last season. The Zips limited Eastern Michigan to 43 points in a 60-43 triumph on Jan. 11 before holding Buffalo to 47 points in a 69-47 win on Jan. 28.
• Akron overcame double-digit deficits to record a victory in six games last season, including Eastern Michigan (-18 | W, 60-43 | Jan. 11), Youngstown State (-17 | W, 61-44 | Nov. 18), Central Michigan (-13 | W, 80-65 | Jan. 18), Miami (-11 | W, 77-66 | Jan. 7), Central Michigan (-10 | W, 61-54) and Stetson (-10 | W, 58-50 | Dec. 18).
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ZIPS' OFFENSIVE PROGRESS REPORT
In Akron's 30 games last season, this is how the Zips fared from the field: 50 percent: .538 (Miami-2), .528 (Dayton), .526 (Point Park), .509 (Buffalo-1), .509 (Oakland), 40 percent: .490 (Ball State-3), .481 (Northern Illinois), .473 (Toledo-2), .463 (Central Michigan-2), .462 (Western Michigan), .448 (Eastern Michigan-2), .445 (Notre Dame College), .442 (Miami-1), .442 (Robert Morris), .436 (Central Michigan-1), .420 (Youngstown State), .407 (Bowling Green), .407 (Ohio), .403 (Coppin State), 30 percent: .388 (Northern Kentucky), .386 (Bethune-Cookman), .382 (Stetson), .380 (Kent State-1), .377 (Toledo-1), .373 (Ball State-1), .367 (Ball State-2), .365 (Cleveland State), .333 (Buffalo-2), .317 (Kent State-2), .315 (Eastern Michigan-1), 20 percent: NA
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ZIPS' DEFENSIVE PROGRESS REPORT
In the Zips' 30 games last season, this is how the Zips fared defensively: 50 percent: .541 (Ball State-3), .537 (Kent State-2), .517 (Ball State-1), .508 (Western Michigan), .500 (Northern Illinois), 40 percent: .456 (Toledo-1), .451 (Miami-2), .449 (Toledo-2), .435 (Coppin State), .431 (Northern Kentucky), .415 (Eastern Michigan-2), .400 (Cleveland State), 30 percent: .391 (Central Michigan-2), .391 (Miami-1), .388 (Ohio), .386 (Dayton), .383 (Buffalo-2), .383 (Ball State-2), .379 (Oakland), .373 (Central Michigan-1), .364 (Bowling Green), .357 (Notre Dame College), .354 (Stetson), .329 (Bethune-Cookman) .313 (Robert Morris), .311 (Youngstown State), .309 (Kent State-1), 20 percent: .293 (Eastern Michigan-1), .266 (Buffalo-1), .250 (Point Park).
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INSIDE THE PAINT
Akron has once proved to be strong in the paint in 30 games last season averaging 29.2 points per contest for 876 total points. The Zips posted a season-best 66 points in the paint in a 101-46 victory over Point Park (Dec. 2).
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BASS EARNS ALL-MAC HONORS
Led by Reagan Bass, who garnered First-Team All-Mid-American Conference women's basketball accolades, a pair of University of Akron players earned All-MAC honors when the league unveiled its 2022-23 award winners on March 7, 2023.
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Dominique Camp rounded out the Zips' recipients pulling in All-Defensive team laurels.
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Bass started all 30 of the Zips' games last season en route to earning First-Team All-MAC accolades for the initial time on the strength of posting team-high marks in scoring (17.1), rebounding (7.7), field goal percentage (.515), free throws made (153) and free throws attempted (196), while ranking second in blocks (33), fourth in steals (25) and fifth in assists (44). She scored in double figures in 27 of 30 contests this season, including tallying 15 or more points in 21 games, and led the Zips in scoring and rebounding 17 times apiece. In league-only affairs, she averaged 16.3 points and 8.1 rebounds, while shooting 49 percent from the field.
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Bass was the eighth Zip to earn first-team honors and first sophomore to do so since Rachel Tecca collected first-team laurels during the 2010-11 campaign. She joins Cheryl Bowles (1999-2000), Kara Murphy (2008-09), Tecca (2010-11 | 2012-13), Hanna Luburgh (2013-14), Sina King (2014-15), Anita Brown (2015-16) and Jordyn Dawson (2021-22) among Akron first-team honorees.
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ZIPS EARN WBCA ALL-ACADEMIC SPECIAL MENTION ACCOLADES
The 2022-23 WBCA Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll was announced by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association, and the Akron women's basketball team earned special mention nods for having a 3.503 overall team GPA for the 2022-23 academic year.
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The WBCA Academic Top 25 recognizes NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA and two-year college women's basketball teams across the nation that carry the highest combined GPAs inclusive of all student-athletes on their rosters for the entire season. The 2022-23 season was the 28th in which the WBCA has compiled the honor rolls.
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The Zips were just one of five Mid-American Conference teams to earn the recognition.
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MAC PRESEASON POLL
The Zips under first-year head coach Ryan Gensler, were picked to finish sixth as a team behind preseason league and tournament favorite preseason favorite Toledo (11 first-place votes and 121 points). The Rockets were followed by Ball State (1 first-place votes/110 points), Kent State (102), Bowling Green (77), Northern Illinois (72), Akron (69), Eastern Michigan (66), Buffalo (50), Ohio (40), Western Michigan (38), Central Michigan (24) and Miami (23).
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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 128-80 record dating back to the 2004-05 campaign.
Â
Last season, the Zips were 11-5 in the JAR, averaging 73.3 points per tilt and connecting on nearly 45 percent (.447) of their attempts from the field, while recording 39.2 rebounds, 16.8 assists, 7.9 steals and 4.1 blocks per game.
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Individually, Reagan Bass averaged double figures inside James A. Rhodes Arena averaging 17.6 points per game.
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UP NEXT
Akron travels to Hattiesburg, Miss., for a showdown with Southern Miss on Saturday (Nov. 11) at 3 p.m. ET as part of the Inaugural Mid-American Conference-Sun Belt Challenge.
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Monday, Nov. 6
James A. Rhodes Arena
Akron, Ohio • 7:00 p.m.
Series History: Oakland leads 4-1
Live Stream: www.GoZips.com (subscription may be required) and ESPN App
Television: www.GoZips.com (subscription may be required) and ESPN App
Live Stats:Â www.GoZips.comÂ
Live Radio: www.GoZips.com
Â
WHAT'S AHEAD
The University of Akron women's basketball team is set to commence its 50th season on Monday (Nov. 6) as the Zips welcome Oakland to James A. Rhodes Arena. The 7 p.m. tilt will be broadcast on ESPN+ with Michael Reghi and Jeff Phelps calling the game as well as on 640 WHLO AM with Bill Morgan.
HEAD COACHES
Oakland: Jeff Tungate (Oakland, 1993), Overall Record: 130-165 (11th Season), Record at Oakland: 130-165 (11th Season)
Akron: Ryan Gensler (St. Joseph's, 2009), Overall Record: 0-0 (First Season), Record at Akron: 0-0 (First Season)
SCOUTING OAKLAND
Oakland enters its season opener at Akron on Monday (Nov. 6) on the heels of a 13-17 overall record a season ago, including an 8-12 mark in the Horizon League.
Â
The Golden Grizzlies are led by the return of sophomore G Brooke Quarles-Daniels, who averaged team-high-marks in scoring (12.1), rebounding (5.5), assists (2.9) and steals (2.1) a year ago. Additionally, senior F Alexis Johnson, recorded 11.0 points and a team-best 5.5 rebounds per contest. As a unit, Oakland registered 65.5 points, 37.7 rebounds, 11.1 assists, 8.4 steals and 2.3 blocks per game.
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As a team, Oakland ranked 18th in the NCAA in offensive rebounding (14.7) and 37th in bench scoring (23.4).
SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Oakland are meeting for the sixth time in program history. The Golden Grizzlies lead the series, 4-1. In the last meeting between the schools, Oakland earned an 74-67 triumph past Akron on Nov. 7, 2022 in Rochester, Mich.
IN OUR LAST MEETING (NOV. 7, 2022 – ROCHESTER, MICH.)
Akron battled down to the wire at Oakland before the Golden Grizzlies exited the 2022-23 season opener for both schools with a 74-67 triumph.
Â
Junior Reagan Bass (Strongsville, Ohio) paced three Akron players registering double-figure scoring efforts with a team-high 18 points on 8-of-13 shooting. Rachel Martindale and Layne Ferrell added 15 and 11 points, respectively.
Â
Kennedy Mondue led four Golden Grizzlies finishing in double-figures with a game-high 21-point performance.
Â
The Zips capped the evening shooting nearly 51 percent (.509) from the floor, including connecting on six three pointers. Akron turned in a strong defensive effort limiting Oakland to a .379 shooting mark. The difference in the contest came at the charity stripe where the Golden Grizzlies were 23-of-31, while the Zips went to the line eight times, converting on five attempts.
Â
Akron posted advantages on the evening in rebounding (34-33), assists (19-11), points in the paint (36-20) and blocked shots (3-0), while Oakland tallied a 22-11 edge in points off turnovers.
Â
BASS GARNERS PRESEASON ALL-MAC ACCOLADES
Akron's Reagan Bass was among those honored when the Mid-American Conference unveiled its preseason women's basketball teams and coaches poll on Nov. 2.
Â
Bass was tabbed a First-Team All-MAC preseason selection, while as a unit, the Zips were picked to place sixth the preseason coaches poll.
Â
Bass, a 2022-23 MAC First-Team honoree, averaged 17.1 points and 7.7 rebounds per contest a year ago, both team-high marks.
Â
ZIP TIDBITS
• The 2023-24 season marks the 50th season of competition for the Akron women's basketball program.
• Reagan Bass enters action versus Oakland having amassed 825 career points, to go along with 386 career rebounds.
• Akron ranked 24th in the NCAA in defensive rebounds (28.7), 28th in free throw percentage (.771), 37th in assists per outing (15.7) and 50th in free throws made per contest (14.13). Individually, Reagan Bass was 25th in free throw attempts (196) and 28th in free throws made (153).
• With her 16-point outing against Central Michigan on March 4, 2023, Reagan Bass surpassed the 800-point plateau at Akron, becoming the fastest Zip to reach that scoring benchmark in her 55th career contest.
• Akron held a pair of league opponents under 50 points in a game last season. The Zips limited Eastern Michigan to 43 points in a 60-43 triumph on Jan. 11 before holding Buffalo to 47 points in a 69-47 win on Jan. 28.
• Akron overcame double-digit deficits to record a victory in six games last season, including Eastern Michigan (-18 | W, 60-43 | Jan. 11), Youngstown State (-17 | W, 61-44 | Nov. 18), Central Michigan (-13 | W, 80-65 | Jan. 18), Miami (-11 | W, 77-66 | Jan. 7), Central Michigan (-10 | W, 61-54) and Stetson (-10 | W, 58-50 | Dec. 18).
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ZIPS' OFFENSIVE PROGRESS REPORT
In Akron's 30 games last season, this is how the Zips fared from the field: 50 percent: .538 (Miami-2), .528 (Dayton), .526 (Point Park), .509 (Buffalo-1), .509 (Oakland), 40 percent: .490 (Ball State-3), .481 (Northern Illinois), .473 (Toledo-2), .463 (Central Michigan-2), .462 (Western Michigan), .448 (Eastern Michigan-2), .445 (Notre Dame College), .442 (Miami-1), .442 (Robert Morris), .436 (Central Michigan-1), .420 (Youngstown State), .407 (Bowling Green), .407 (Ohio), .403 (Coppin State), 30 percent: .388 (Northern Kentucky), .386 (Bethune-Cookman), .382 (Stetson), .380 (Kent State-1), .377 (Toledo-1), .373 (Ball State-1), .367 (Ball State-2), .365 (Cleveland State), .333 (Buffalo-2), .317 (Kent State-2), .315 (Eastern Michigan-1), 20 percent: NA
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ZIPS' DEFENSIVE PROGRESS REPORT
In the Zips' 30 games last season, this is how the Zips fared defensively: 50 percent: .541 (Ball State-3), .537 (Kent State-2), .517 (Ball State-1), .508 (Western Michigan), .500 (Northern Illinois), 40 percent: .456 (Toledo-1), .451 (Miami-2), .449 (Toledo-2), .435 (Coppin State), .431 (Northern Kentucky), .415 (Eastern Michigan-2), .400 (Cleveland State), 30 percent: .391 (Central Michigan-2), .391 (Miami-1), .388 (Ohio), .386 (Dayton), .383 (Buffalo-2), .383 (Ball State-2), .379 (Oakland), .373 (Central Michigan-1), .364 (Bowling Green), .357 (Notre Dame College), .354 (Stetson), .329 (Bethune-Cookman) .313 (Robert Morris), .311 (Youngstown State), .309 (Kent State-1), 20 percent: .293 (Eastern Michigan-1), .266 (Buffalo-1), .250 (Point Park).
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INSIDE THE PAINT
Akron has once proved to be strong in the paint in 30 games last season averaging 29.2 points per contest for 876 total points. The Zips posted a season-best 66 points in the paint in a 101-46 victory over Point Park (Dec. 2).
Â
BASS EARNS ALL-MAC HONORS
Led by Reagan Bass, who garnered First-Team All-Mid-American Conference women's basketball accolades, a pair of University of Akron players earned All-MAC honors when the league unveiled its 2022-23 award winners on March 7, 2023.
Â
Dominique Camp rounded out the Zips' recipients pulling in All-Defensive team laurels.
Â
Bass started all 30 of the Zips' games last season en route to earning First-Team All-MAC accolades for the initial time on the strength of posting team-high marks in scoring (17.1), rebounding (7.7), field goal percentage (.515), free throws made (153) and free throws attempted (196), while ranking second in blocks (33), fourth in steals (25) and fifth in assists (44). She scored in double figures in 27 of 30 contests this season, including tallying 15 or more points in 21 games, and led the Zips in scoring and rebounding 17 times apiece. In league-only affairs, she averaged 16.3 points and 8.1 rebounds, while shooting 49 percent from the field.
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Bass was the eighth Zip to earn first-team honors and first sophomore to do so since Rachel Tecca collected first-team laurels during the 2010-11 campaign. She joins Cheryl Bowles (1999-2000), Kara Murphy (2008-09), Tecca (2010-11 | 2012-13), Hanna Luburgh (2013-14), Sina King (2014-15), Anita Brown (2015-16) and Jordyn Dawson (2021-22) among Akron first-team honorees.
Â
ZIPS EARN WBCA ALL-ACADEMIC SPECIAL MENTION ACCOLADES
The 2022-23 WBCA Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll was announced by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association, and the Akron women's basketball team earned special mention nods for having a 3.503 overall team GPA for the 2022-23 academic year.
Â
The WBCA Academic Top 25 recognizes NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA and two-year college women's basketball teams across the nation that carry the highest combined GPAs inclusive of all student-athletes on their rosters for the entire season. The 2022-23 season was the 28th in which the WBCA has compiled the honor rolls.
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The Zips were just one of five Mid-American Conference teams to earn the recognition.
Â
MAC PRESEASON POLL
The Zips under first-year head coach Ryan Gensler, were picked to finish sixth as a team behind preseason league and tournament favorite preseason favorite Toledo (11 first-place votes and 121 points). The Rockets were followed by Ball State (1 first-place votes/110 points), Kent State (102), Bowling Green (77), Northern Illinois (72), Akron (69), Eastern Michigan (66), Buffalo (50), Ohio (40), Western Michigan (38), Central Michigan (24) and Miami (23).
                      Â
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 128-80 record dating back to the 2004-05 campaign.
Â
Last season, the Zips were 11-5 in the JAR, averaging 73.3 points per tilt and connecting on nearly 45 percent (.447) of their attempts from the field, while recording 39.2 rebounds, 16.8 assists, 7.9 steals and 4.1 blocks per game.
Â
Individually, Reagan Bass averaged double figures inside James A. Rhodes Arena averaging 17.6 points per game.
Â
UP NEXT
Akron travels to Hattiesburg, Miss., for a showdown with Southern Miss on Saturday (Nov. 11) at 3 p.m. ET as part of the Inaugural Mid-American Conference-Sun Belt Challenge.
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Players Mentioned
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2024-25 Akron Zips Women's Basketball Post-Game Press Conference vs. Miami - 2/19/2025
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2024-25 Akron Zips Women's Basketball Post-Game Press Conference vs. Western Michigan - 2/5/2025
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