Akron Visits Eastern Michigan For Saturday Showdown

Saturday, January 11

Ypsilanti, Mich.

1:00 PM

University of Akron

Eastern Michigan

Akron Visits Eastern Michigan For Saturday Showdown

January 10 | Women's Basketball

Akron (8-7, 2-1 MAC) at Eastern Michigan (1-12, 0-3 MAC)
Saturday, Jan. 11
Gervin GameAbove Center
Ypsilanti, Mich.

Series History: Akron leads 30-19
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 travels to Ypsilanti, Mich., for a showdown with Eastern Michigan on Saturday (Jan. 11). The 1 p.m. tilt with the Eagles will be broadcast on ESPN+ as well as on GoZips.com with Jim Clark on the radio call.

HEAD COACHES
Eastern Michigan: Sahar Nusselbeh (American, 2009), Overall Record: 33-72 (Fourth Season), Record at Eastern Michigan: 1-12 (First Season)
Akron: Ryan Gensler (St. Joseph's, 2009), Overall Record: 19-25 (Second Season), Record at Akron: 19-25 (Second Season)

SCOUTING EASTERN MICHIGAN
Eastern Michigan comes into play versus Akron on Saturday (Jan. 11) at 1-12 on the campaign, including 0-3 in the Mid-American Conference, following a 101-69 setback at Ball State on Wednesday (Jan. 8).

Junior Sisi Eleko leads the Eagles averaging a team-best 20.1 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. As a team, Eastern Michigan is recording 60.5 points, 32.5 rebounds, 11.6 assists, 6.2 steals and 1.8 blocks per tilt.

The Eagles are rated 40th in the NCAA in three-point attempts per game (25.3), while Eleko is ranked ninth in rebounds per contest (10.9), 12th in double-doubles (8), 13th in defensive rebounds (7.8), 23rd in scoring (20.1) and 46th in total rebounds (142). Additionally, redshirt senior Mackenzie Amalia is rated 26th in assists per game (5.5).

SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Eastern Michigan are meeting for the 50th time in program history. The Zips lead the series, 30-19, after the Zips registered a 68-67 overtime victory on Feb. 7, 2024, in Ypsilanti, Mich.

IN OUR LAST MEETING (FEB. 7, 2024 – YPSILANTI, MICH.)
Akron sophomore Teniesha Clarke (Burlington, Ontario) knocked down a game-tying shot with 18 seconds left on the clock to send the game to overtime and Reagan Bass put the Zips ahead for good with five seconds to go the extra period to give Akron a 68-67 win over Eastern Michigan on the road on Feb. 7, 2024.

The Zips had three players score in double figures, led by Bass, who had 19 points. Morgan Haney added 12 points and four assists and senior Zakia Rasheed (Avon, Ind.) chipped in as well with 11 points.

The Akron offense was very productive from downtown, knocking down eight threes on 22 attempts. Rasheed was the most prolific shooter for the Zips, draining three treys in the contest.

Akron forced 16 Eastern Michigan turnovers and turned those takeaways into 18 points on the offensive end of the floor. Clarke's two steals led the way for Akron.

AKRON OUTLASTS NORTHERN ILLINOIS, 73-71
Zakia Rasheed and fellow senior Shelbee Brown (Memphis, Tenn.) and Alexus Mobley (Indianapolis, Ind.) combined to score 55 of Akron's 73 total points as the Zips took down Northern Illinois, 73-71, at James A. Rhodes Arena on Wednesday (Jan. 8).

The Zips had three players score in double figures, led by Rasheed, who had a career-high 21 points, including connecting on seven three pointers. Her seven triples stands as the fourth-best single-game effort in program history. Brown added her fourth double-double of the season with a season-high 17-point and 11-rebound performance, while Mobley chipped in as well with 17 points, four assists and two steals.

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

Akron did a great job disrupting Northern Illinois shots in the contest, coming away with six blocks. Freshman Ni'Rah Clark (Toledo, Ohio) led the way individually for the Zips with two rejections.

TOLEDO TRIUMPHS OVER THE ZIPS
Alexus Mobley scored 23 points while Zakia Rasheed and redshirt senior Shelbee Brown (Memphis, Tenn.) added 11 each, but the Zips fell to Toledo, 74-54, at James A. Rhodes Arena on Jan. 4.

Mobley led the Zips with 23 points and five steals. Rasheed added 11 points off the bench and Brown chipped in as well with 11 points and eight rebounds.

The Akron defense forced 14 Toledo turnovers. Those takeaways turned into 10 points on the other end of the floor. Mobley's five steals led the way individually for the Zips.

ZIP TIDBITS
• Alexus Mobley is averaging 9.0 points and 3.0 rebounds per contest against Eastern Michigan.
• Zakia Rasheed connected on a career-high 21 points on seven three pointers versus Northern Illinois (Jan. 8). Her seven triples stand as the fourth-best single-game effort in program history.
• A five-year member of the Akron volleyball team, Ellen Kinnaird (Lewis Center, Ohio) is set to join the Zips' squad in time for the squad's game at Eastern Michigan (Jan. 11).
• Alexus Mobley recorded an Akron season-high five steals against Toledo (Jan. 4).
• Akron set nine season-high and three career-best marks at Ohio (Jan. 1).
• Alexus Mobley was honored by the Mid-American Conference as its Women's Basketball Player of the Week, the league announced on Dec. 31.
• Redshirt senior Emily Hall (Phoenix, N.Y.) recorded season-high marks in scoring (7), assists (3), steals (2) and minutes played (38) in her first career start as a Zip against Ohio (Jan. 1).
• Junior Liisa Taponen (Tampere, Finland) dished out a career-high two assists to go along with a career-best 17-point effort at Ohio (Jan. 1).
• Ni'Rah Clark's four blocked shots versus Miami Hamilton (Dec. 28) stand as the 11th-best single-game effort in program history matching a four-block performance from Shelbee Brown at Colgate (Nov. 30).
• The Zips shined in the classroom during the fall semester as Akron recorded a 3.04 team GPA, including three Zips turning in a perfect 4.0 GPA.
• Akron registered nine career-high marks against Miami Hamilton, including Ni'Rah Clark setting milestones in rebounds (13), blocks (4), assists (2) and minutes played (25).
• Emily Hall pulled down a season-high eight rebounds against Miami Hamilton (Dec. 28) after recording a team season-best four steals versus Canisius (Dec. 7).
• The Zips recorded season-high marks in rebounds (51), defensive rebounds (39) and blocks (10) versus Miami Hamilton (Dec. 28).
• Shelbee Brown equaled a then season-best 14-point scoring effort versus No. 20 Michigan (Dec. 20).
• Liisa Taponen recorded her first career double-digit rebounding game pulling down a career-best 11 rebounds against No. 20 Michigan (Dec. 20), while also posting a career-high three blocks.
• Ni'Rah Clark posted a career-high scoring 13 points against Canisius (Dec. 7).
• Zakia Rasheed dished out a team season-high six assists in back-to-back contests against Canisius (Dec. 7) and Slippery Rock (Dec. 4).
• The Zips recorded season-high marks in triples (10) versus Slippery Rock (Dec. 4), while junior Maddie Vejsicky (New Concord, Ohio) connected on five three pointers.
• Akron is rated first in the Mid-American Conference in blocked shots (3.80), fourth in free throw percentage (.735) and fifth in defensive rebounds (26.60) and offensive rebounds (11.73).
• Individually, Alexus Mobley is ninth in scoring (13.3), Shelbee Brown is fourth in rebounding (8.07) and in defensive rebounds (5.93), eighth in offensive rebounds (2.13) and ninth in steals (2.07), Maddie Vejsicky is sixth in three-point percentage (.411), Liisa Taponen is sixth in offensive rebounds (2.53) and in blocked shots (0,93), while Ni'Rah Clark is second in blocked shots (1.14).
• In league-only games, Akron is ranked first in the MAC in rebounding margin (9.0), second in field goal percentage (.449) and defensive rebounds (26.33), third in blocked shots (4.33) and fifth in offensive rebounds (12.33).
• In conference-only tilts, Ni'Rah Clark is rated first in the league in blocked shots (2.33) and eighth in rebounding (6.67). Additionally, Liisa Taponen is second in field goal percentage (.625) and fourth in offensive rebounding (3.33), Alexus Mobley is fourth in steals (2.67) and fifth in scoring (18.33), Zakia Rasheed is 10th in three-point percentage (.417), Emily Hall is 10th in minutes played (34.49) and Shelbee Brown is second in rebounding (8.67) and fourth in defensive rebounding (6.33).
• The Zips have posted six 20+ scoring games this season. Teniesha Clarke poured in 20 against both Ohio (Jan. 1) and Cleveland State (Nov. 16), while Alexus Mobley added 30 and 23 versus Miami Hamilton (Dec. 28) and Toledo (Jan. 4). Zakia Rasheed posted 21 against Northern Illinois (Jan. 8) and junior Kam'Ren Rhodes (Chandler, Ariz.) tallied 26 points against Georgia State (Nov. 4).
• Kam'Ren Rhodes was an All-Tournament selection at the Colgate Thanksgiving Tournament.
• The 2024-25 season marks the 51st season of competition for the Akron women's basketball program.
• The Zips own season-high marks in scoring (88-GSU), field goals made (32-CSU), triples (10-SRU), offensive rebounds (19-SRU | OHIO-1), defensive rebounds (39-MIAH), rebounds (51-MIAH), assists (22-CAN), steals (9-CAN) and blocks (10-TSU | MIAH).
• Eight different Akron players have scored in double figures this season led Alexus Mobley (11), Shelbee Brown (9), Teniesha Clarke (8), Maddie Vejsicky (5), Zakia Rasheed (4), Kam'Ren Rhodes (4), Liisa Taponen (4) and Ni'Rah Clark (1).
• Akron connected on five or more three pointers in 103 of its last 135 contests overall. The Zips hit on a season-high 10 triples in an 79-43 victory over Slippery Rock (Dec. 4).

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, Emily Hall, junior Caroline Lyles (Argyle, Texas), Kam'Ren Rhodes, Maddie Vejsicky and sophomore Ella Wigal (Granville, Ohio).

ZIPS' OFFENSIVE PROGRESS REPORT
In Akron's 15 games this season, this is how the Zips have fared from the field: 50 percent: NA, 40 percent: .492 (Cleveland State), .483 (Canisius), .481 (Northern Illinois), .464 (Bellarmine), .463 (Miami Hamilton), .444 (Ohio-1), .439 (Iona), .420 (Toledo-1), .420 (Slippery Rock), 30 percent: .396 (Michigan), .388 (Colgate), .379 (Tennessee State), .377 (Georgia State), .361 (Robert Morris), .333 (Binghamton).

ZIPS' DEFENSIVE PROGRESS REPORT
In the Zips' 15 games this season, this is how the Zips have fared defensively: 50 percent: .NA, 40 percent: .491 (Cleveland State), .485 (Michigan), .483 (Northern Illinois), .469 (Robert Morris), .463 (Bellarmine), .459 (Toledo-1), .414 (Binghamton), .403 (Tennessee State), 30 percent: .393 (Colgate), .368 (Ohio-1), .361 (Georgia State), .310 (Miami Hamilton), .310 (Iona), 20 percent: .298 (Canisius), .278 (Slippery Rock).

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).

OVER THE LAST FIVE GAMES
Led by 18.6 points per game from Alexus Mobley, three Zips are averaging double-figures in scoring over the last five games. Joining Mobley with 12.8 and 10.0 points per outing is Shelbee Brown and Zakia Rasheed. Brown is pulling down a team-best 7.6 rebounds per contest, while Clark is shooting a team-high 68.4 percent from the field.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Akron has once proved to be strong in the paint averaging 34.3 points per game for 514 total points. This season, the Zips posted a season-best 46 points in the paint in a 84-74 victory over Cleveland State (Nov. 16) as well as an 80-52 triumph past Miami Hamilton (Dec. 28). Additional inside the numbers for the Zips this season are below.

Points in Paint – 34.3 ppg (514) | Season-High - 46 vs. Cleveland State | Miami Hamilton
Points off Turnovers – 14.2 ppg (213) | Season-High - 24 vs. Cleveland State
Second-Chance Points – 11.5 ppg (173) | Season-High - 20 vs. Slippery Rock
Fast-Break Points – 7.1 ppg (106) | Season-High - 15 vs. Miami Hamilton
Bench Points – 17.3 ppg (260) | Season-High - 36 vs. Canisius

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 139-90 record dating back to the 2004-05 campaign.

This season, the Zips are 6-3 in the JAR, averaging 71.3 points per tilt and connecting on more than 43 percent (.434) of their attempts from the field, while recording 38.9 rebounds, 12.8 assists, 5.9 steals and 4.2 blocks per game.

UP NEXT
Akron welcomes Central Michigan to James A. Rhodes Arena for a 6 p.m. contest on Wednesday (Jan. 15).