Akron Hosts Cleveland State

Saturday, November 16

Akron, Ohio

12:00 PM

University of Akron

Cleveland State

November 15 | Women's Basketball

Akron (1-2) vs. Cleveland State (2-1)
Saturday, Nov. 16
James A. Rhodes Arena
Akron, Ohio

Series History: Cleveland State leads 28-17
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 welcomes Cleveland State to James A. Rhodes Arena for a matinee affair on Saturday (Nov. 16). The 12 p.m. tilt with the Vikings will be broadcast on ESPN+ with Michael Reghi and Jeff Phelps on the call, while Bill Morgan will have the radio call on GoZips.com.

Tickets for the contest against the Vikings 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
Cleveland State: Chris Kielsmeier (Iowa State, 1998), Overall Record: 543-177 (25th Season), Record at Cleveland State: 127-61 (Seventh Season)
Akron: Ryan Gensler (St. Joseph's, 2009), Overall Record: 12-19 (Second Season), Record at Akron: 12-19 (Second Season)

SCOUTING CLEVELAND STATE
Cleveland State enters action against Akron on Saturday (Nov. 16) at 2-1 on the campaign following a 75-68 home win over Bowling Green on Tuesday (Nov. 12).

Redshirt senior Mickayla Perdue leads Cleveland State averaging a team-best 25.3 points per game on the strength of shooting nearly 44 percent (.436) from the field. Redshirt senior Sara Guerreiro is pulling down a team-high 9.7 rebounds per outing.

As a team, Cleveland State is recording 85.0 points, 42.3 rebounds, 12.7 assists, 6.3 blocks and 4.0 steals per tilt.

The Vikings are rated first in the NCAA in free throws made (23.67), fifth in free throw attempts (30.33), 22nd in defensive rebounding (32.0), 23rd in blocks (6.3), 38th in free throw percentage (.780) and 41st in scoring offense (85.0). Individually, Perdue is ranked third in points per game (25.3), 13th in points (76), 20th in free throws (18), 30th in field goal attempts (55) and 40th in field goals (24), while Guerreiro is 12th in defensive rebounding (8.3), 20th in free throws (18) and 45th in double-doubles (1).

SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Cleveland State are meeting for the 46th time in program history since the inaugural meeting in 1975. In 45 contests between the Zips and Vikings, Cleveland State holds a 28-17 all-time series record against Akron following a 71-62 triumph on Dec. 10, 2023, in Cleveland, Ohio.

IN OUR LAST MEETING (DEC. 10, 2023 – CLEVELAND, OHIO)
Akron got a team-high 18 points from Reagan Bass, but fell 71-62 to Cleveland State on the road Dec. 10, 2023.

Senior Kaia Woods (Tiffin, Ohio) added 14 points off the bench, while junior Liisa Taponen contributed a eight points and six rebounds.

The Zips grabbed 10 boards and turning them into 10 second-chance points.

Akron did a great job disrupting Cleveland State shots in the contest, coming away with five blocks.

AKRON BESTED BY ROBERT MORRIS
Akron redshirt senior Shelbee Brown (Memphis, Tenn.) collected a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, but the Zips fell to Robert Morris, 59-53, at James A. Rhodes Arena on Wednesday (Nov. 13).

The Zips had three players score in double figures, led by Brown, with a 15-point and 10-rebound performance. Senior Alexus Mobley (Indianapolis, Ind.) added 12 points and sophomore Teniesha Clarke (Burlington, Ontario) chipped in as well with 10 points and seven rebounds.

Led by junior Maddie Vejsicky's (New Concord, Ohio) three offensive rebounds, Akron crashed the offensive glass, pulling down 12 boards that resulted in 12 second-chance points.

Akron forced 18 Robert Morris turnovers. The Zips turned those takeaways into seven points on the other end of the floor. Brown's two steals led the way for Akron.

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 at Binghamton.
• Akron posted five career-high marks at Binghamton.
• Junior Kam'Ren Rhodes (Chandler, Ariz.), 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).
• Alexus Mobley poured in 13 points against Georgia State to go along with eight rebounds and a game- and career-high three blocks.
• Individually, Shelbee Brown is ranked seventh in the NCAA in double-doubles (2), 13th in rebounding (11.7), 22nd in defensive rebounding (8.0) and 27th in total rebounds (35), while Maddie Vejsicky is fifth in three-point percentage (.727).
• 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.
• 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-GSU), field goals made (22-RMU), triples (8-GSU), offensive rebounds (14-GSU), defensive rebounds (33-GSU), rebounds (47-GSU), assists (14-GSU), steals (6-RMU) and blocks (4-GSU).
• Six different Akron players have scored in double figures this season led Shelbee Brown (2), Teniesha Clarke (2), Alexus Mobley (2), Maddie Vejsicky (2), senior Zakia Rasheed (Avon, Ind.) (1) and Kam'Ren Rhodes (1).
• Akron connected on five or more three pointers in 95 of its last 124 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 three games this season, this is how the Zips have fared from the field: 50 percent: NA, 40 percent: NA, 30 percent: .377 (Georgia State), .361 (Robert Morris), .333 (Binghamton).

ZIPS' DEFENSIVE PROGRESS REPORT
In the Zips' three games this season, this is how the Zips have fared defensively: 50 percent: .NA, 40 percent: .469 (Robert Morris), .414 (Binghamton), 30 percent: .361 (Georgia State), 20 percent: NA.

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 134-89 record dating back to the 2004-05 campaign.

This season, the Zips are 1-1 in the JAR, averaging 67.0 points per tilt and connecting on nearly 37 percent (.368) of their attempts from the field, while recording 39.5 rebounds, 11.5 assists, 5.0 steals and 3.5 blocks per game.

UP NEXT
Akron travels to Nashville, Tenn., to battle Tennessee State on Friday (Nov. 22) at 8 p.m. ET.

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.