Akron Set to Battle Robert Morris

Wednesday, November 13

Akron, Ohio

6:00 PM

University of Akron

Robert Morris

November 12 | Women's Basketball

Akron (1-1) vs. Robert Morris (1-1)
Wednesday, Nov. 13
James A. Rhodes Arena
Akron, Ohio

Series History: Akron leads 16-8
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: www.GoZips.com
Live Radio: www.GoZips.com

WHAT'S AHEAD
The University of Akron women's basketball team returns to James A. Rhodes Arena for a showdown with Robert Morris on Wednesday (Nov. 13). The 6 p.m. tilt with the Colonials will be broadcast on ESPN+ with Michael Reghi and Jeff Phelps on the call, while Jim Clark will have the radio call on GoZips.com.

Tickets for the contest against the Colonials are available for purchase at http://www.gozips.com/Tickets. Fans are asked to park in Lots 1 (Parking Deck) at corner of Carroll and Spicer Streets. For complete parking information click here.

HEAD COACHES
Robert Morris: Chandler McCabe (Providence, 2012), Overall Record: 1-1 (First Season), Record at Robert Morris: 1-1 (First Season)
Akron: Ryan Gensler (St. Joseph's, 2009), Overall Record: 12-18 (Second Season), Record at Akron: 12-18 (Second Season)

SCOUTING ROBERT MORRIS
Robert Morris enters action against Akron on Wednesday (Nov. 13) at 1-1 on the campaign following a 74-69 overtime setback at College of Charleston on Saturday (Nov. 9). A year ago, the Colonials posted a 6-24 record a season ago, including an 2-18 mark in the Horizon League.

Senior Danielle Vuletich leads Robert Morris averaging a team-best 12.0 points per game on the strength of shooting nearly 56 percent (.556) from the field. Seniors Raissa Nsabua and Naomi Barnwell are each pulling down a team-high 7.5 rebounds per outing.

As a team, Robert Morris is recording 68.5 points, 45.0 rebounds, 15.5 assists, 8.0 steals and 2.0 blocks per tilt.

The Colonials are rated 42nd in the NCAA in field goal percentage defense (.314) and 46th in three-point percentage defense (.200).

SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Robert Morris are meeting for the 25th time in program history, with the Zips owning a 16-8 series edge following a 63-58 road victory by Akron on Nov. 15, 2023.

IN OUR LAST MEETING (NOV. 15, 2023 – MOON TOWNSHIP, PA.)
Reagan Bass hit the game-tying free throws with 20 seconds left in regulation to send the game to overtime where Morgan Haney put the Zips ahead for good with 3:24 to go in the extra period to propel Akron to a 63-58 win over Robert Morris on Nov. 15, 2023.

The victory represented the first collegiate head coaching triumph for then first-year Akron head coach Ryan Gensler.

The Zips had two players score in double figures, led by Bass, who secured her second double-double of the season with 22 points and a career-high 19 rebound performance. Haney tacked on 10 points and two steals, while senior Zakia Rasheed (Avon, Ind.) added a seven-point, six-rebound and four-assist effort.

Bass pulled down five offensive rebounds to lead an offense that racked up second-chance opportunities for Akron, grabbing 19 boards and turning them into 11 second-chance points.

The Akron defense forced 17 Robert Morris turnovers. Those takeaways turned into 19 points on the other end of the floor. Haney's two steals led the way individually for the Zips.

AKRON FALLS AT BINGHAMTON
Akron women's basketball redshirt senior Shelbee Brown (Memphis, Tenn.), junior Maddie Vejsicky (New Concord, Ohio) and sophomore Teniesha Clarke (Burlington, Ontario) combined to score 39 of Akron's 50 total points, but the Zips fell to Binghamton, 66-50, on Thursday (Nov. 7).

The Zips had three players score in double figures, led by Brown, who had a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds. Vejsicky added 13 points and Clarke chipped in as well with 12 points.

Brown pulled down five offensive rebounds to lead an offense that racked up second-chance opportunities for Akron, grabbing 10 boards and turning them into eight second-chance points.

The Akron defense was effective at taking away the basketball forcing 14 Binghamton turnovers. Those takeaways turned into 15 points on the offensive end of the floor. Brown's three steals led the way individually for the Zips.

ZIP TIDBITS
• Shelbee Brown pulled down a career-best and game-high 14 rebounds versus Binghamton.
• Freshman Ni'Rah Clark (Toledo, Ohio) equaled a career-best in rebounding pulling down four caroms at Binghamton.
• Akron posted five career-high marks at Binghamton.
• Kam'Ren Rhodes, Maddie Vejsicky and Ni'Rah Clark tallied career-high scoring efforts of 25, 14 and four points, respectively, against Georgia State.
• The Zips parlayed a 21-0 run over the second and third quarters to erase a 15-point first-half deficit en route to victory.
• Akron registered 13 career-high marks in the squad's 81-73 triumph past Georgia State (Nov. 4).
• Senior Alexus Mobley (Indianapolis, Ind.) poured in 13 points against Georgia State to go along with eight rebounds and a game- and career-high three blocks.
• The Zips are rated 11th in the NCAA in free throws made (21.5) and 23rd in free throws attempted (28.0).
• Individually, Shelbee Brown is ranked 18th in the NCAA in rebounding (12.5), 23rd in defensive rebounding (8.5) and 45th in total rebounds (25), while Maddie Vejsicky is 22nd in three-point percentage (.750).
• The 2024-25 season marks the 51st season of competition for the Akron women's basketball program.
• Akron tied Marist and Tennessee State for the D1 lead in overtime games playing in five last season. The five overtime contests are the most in a single season in program history.
• Akron matched or outrebounded its opponents 14 times last season, including in eight of 18 league games.
• The Zips recorded two or more blocks in 20 games on the 2023-24 campaign.
• The Zips recorded 55 career-high marks last season in point, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and minutes played.
• The Zips owned season-high marks in scoring (88-BELL), field goals made (29-OAK | PITT | BELL), triples (14-BELL), offensive rebounds (24 ASU), defensive rebounds (34-OAK), rebounds (49-OAK | RMU), assists (18-OAK | PITT | BG-2 | NIU-2), steals (13-CMU-2) and blocks (6-NIU-2).
• Seven different Akron players scored in double figures last season led by Reagan Bass (24), Morgan Haney (15), junior Lanae Riley (Akron, Ohio) (11), senior Kaia Woods (Tiffin, Ohio) (9), sophomore Teniesha Clarke (Burlington, Ontario) (6) and seniors Zakia Rasheed (Avon, Ind.) (5) and Alexus Mobley (Indianapolis, Ind.) (5).
• Akron connected on five or more three pointers in 94 of its last 123 contests overall. The Zips hit on a season-high 14 triples in an 88-65 victory over Bellarmine (Dec. 21, 2023).

AKRON UNVEILS TALENTED SEVEN-MEMBER NEWCOMER CLASS
Akron under the leadership of second-year head coach Ryan Gensler, boast a talented seven-member newcomer class for 2024.

Donning the Akron uniform this fall will be freshmen Kyara Bakker (Leiderdorp, Netherlands) and Ni'Rah Clark, redshirt senior Emily Hall (Phoenix, N.Y.), junior Caroline Lyles (Argyle, Texas), Kam'Ren Rhodes, Maddie Vejsicky and sophomore Ella Wigal (Granville, Ohio).

ZIPS' OFFENSIVE PROGRESS REPORT
In Akron's two games this season, this is how the Zips have fared from the field: 50 percent: NA, 40 percent: NA, 30 percent: .377 (Georgia State), .333 (Binghamton).

ZIPS' DEFENSIVE PROGRESS REPORT
In the Zips' two games this season, this is how the Zips have fared defensively: 50 percent: .NA, 40 percent: .414 (Binghamton), 30 percent: .361 (Georgia State), 20 percent: NA.

INSIDE THE PAINT
Akron proved to be strong in the paint a year ago averaging 29.0 points per game for 842 total points. A season ago, the Zips posted a season-best 44 points in the paint in a 91-87 setback to Oakland (Nov. 6).

MAC PRESEASON POLL
The Zips under second-year head coach Ryan Gensler, were picked to finish ninth as a team behind preseason league and tournament favorite preseason favorite Ball State (10 first-place votes and 120 points). The Cardinals were followed by Kent State (2 first-place votes and 104 points), Buffalo (98), Bowling Green (96), Toledo (82), Northern Illinois (64), Ohio (64), Miami (44), Akron (43), Western Michigan (34), Eastern Michigan (23) and Central Michigan (20).

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 19 seasons. When playing on its home court, Akron owns a 134-88 record dating back to the 2004-05 campaign.

This season, the Zips are 1-0 in the JAR, averaging 81.0 points per tilt and connecting on nearly 38 percent (.377) of their attempts from the field, while recording 47.0 rebounds, 14.0 assists, 4.0 steals and 4.0 blocks per game.

UP NEXT
Akron returns to James A. Rhodes Arena for a 12 p.m. tilt versus Cleveland State on Saturday (Nov. 16).

AKRON ATHLETICS NOW CASHLESS
The University of Akron Athletics Department announced its transition to cashless payments for all ticketing, concessions, and merchandise purchases at all Akron athletic venues, concession stands, and gear shops, beginning with the start of the 2024-25 sports seasons. For more information click here.