Akron Squares off Versus League-Leading Ball State

Saturday, January 18

Muncie, Ind.

11:30 AM

University of Akron

Ball State

Akron Squares off Versus League-Leading Ball State

January 17 | Women's Basketball

Akron (9-8, 3-2 MAC) at Ball State (13-4, 5-0 MAC)
Saturday, Jan. 18
Worthen Arena
Muncie, Ind.

Series History: Ball State 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 Muncie, Ind., to battle league-leading Ball State for a Mid-American Conference showdown on Saturday (Jan. 18). The 11:30 a.m. tilt with the Cardinals will be broadcast on ESPN+ as well as on GoZips.com with Jim Clark on the radio call.

HEAD COACHES
Ball State: Brady Sallee (Thomas More, 1993), Overall Record: 386-261 (21st Season), Record at Ball State: 250-151 (13th Season)
Akron: Ryan Gensler (St. Joseph's, 2009), Overall Record: 20-26 (Second Season), Record at Akron: 20-26 (Second Season)

SCOUTING BALL STATE
Ball State enters action against Akron on Saturday (Jan. 18) at 13-4 on the campaign, including 5-0 in the Mid-American Conference, following a 66-57 victory at Kent State on Wednesday (Jan. 15).

Senior Alex Richard leads four Cardinals averaging in double figures posting team-high marks in scoring (14.0) and rebounding (6.2). Adding double figure scoring averages are senior Ally Becki, redshirt senior Elisa Stuck and senior Lachelle Austin at 13.9, 11.0 and 10.5 points per night. As a team, Ball State is recording 74.5 points, 37.8 rebounds, 16.3 assists, 10.4 steals and 3.8 blocks per tilt.

The Cardinals are rated 48th in the NCAA in assists per game (16.3), 49th in steals per contest (10.4) and 50th in scoring margin (14.1). Individually, Becki is ranked fifth in triple doubles (1), 14th in assists (97), 17th in assists per tilt (5.7) and 37th in assist/turnover ratio (2.31).

SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Ball State are meeting for the 50th time in program history. The Cardinals lead the series, 30-19, after besting the Zips, 71-64 on Jan. 6, 2024, at James A. Rhodes Arena and 75-41 on Feb. 28, 2024, in Muncie, Ind.

IN OUR LAST MEETING (FEB. 28, 2024 – MUNCIE, IND.)
Akron had two players score in double figures led by a 12-points from Reagan Bass, but a stout defensive performance propelled Ball State to a 75-41 victory on Feb. 28, 2024, in Muncie, Ind.

Joining Bass with a double-figure scoring performance was Morgan Haney, who tacked on 11 points. Senior Alexus Mobley (Indianapolis, Ind.) added two points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Akron's defense forced 15 Ball State turnovers. Those takeaways turned into six points on the other end of the floor. Mobley's two steals led the way individually for the Zips.

CENTRAL MICHIGAN RALLIES PAST AKRON
Senior Shelbee Brown (Memphis, Tenn.) totaled a career-best 20 points, but Akron fell to Central Michigan, 75-55, at James A. Rhodes Arena on Wednesday (Jan. 15).

Brown added a team-high nine rebounds to her 20-point game to lead the Zips. Freshman Ni'Rah Clark (Toledo, Ohio) added 12 points and three blocks, while junior Liisa Taponen (Tampere, Finland) chipped in with four points and six rebounds.

Taponen pulled down four offensive rebounds to pace an offense that racked up second-chance opportunities for Akron, grabbing 18 boards and turning them into 13 second-chance points.

Akron forced 15 Central Michigan turnovers. The Zips turned those takeaways into nine points on the other end of the floor. Junior Maddie Vejsicky (New Concord, Ohio) led the way individually with two steals.

ZIPS EARNS ROAD WIN AT EASTERN MICHIGAN, 61-56
Akron senior Emily Hall (Phoenix, N.Y.), Maddie Vejsicky and senior Zakia Rasheed (Avon, Ind.) combined to score 46 of Akron's 61 total points as the Zips knocked off Eastern Michigan, 61-56, on the road on Jan. 11.

The Zips had three players score in double figures, led by Hall, who had a season-high 17 points. Vejsicky tacked on a career-high 15 points off the bench, while Rasheed chipped in as well with 14 points.

Shelbee Brown pulled down three offensive rebounds to pace an offense that racked up second-chance opportunities for Akron, grabbing 13 boards and turning them into five second-chance points.

The Akron defense forced 15 Eastern Michigan turnovers converting those miscues into 19 points on the offensive end of the floor. Brown led the way individually for the Zips with two steals.

SIMMONS GARNERS TOPCONNECT GALA HONORS
Kelly Simmons of the Akron women's basketball program was among 21 graduate assistants who participated in the TopConnect Graduate Assistant Leadership Academy with coach Josh Pastner.

Simmons completed eight sessions and is among the future leaders in college basketball.

This academy identifies up-and-coming coached in the country and provides them the necessary skills and relationships to assist them on their career path.

ZIP TIDBITS
• Alexus Mobley is averaging 2.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals per contest against Ball State
• Ni'Rah Clark has posted two or more blocks in five games this season, including in four of five league contests.
• 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) joined the Zips' squad in time for the squad's game at Eastern Michigan (Jan. 11).
• Freshman Liz Murphy (Yackandandah, Australia) joined the Akron roster and made her Zips' debut against Central Michigan (Jan. 15).
• 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.
• Emily Hall 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).
• Liisa Taponen 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 Maddie Vejsicky connected on five three pointers.
• Akron is rated second in the Mid-American Conference in blocked shots (3.59), fifth in free throw percentage (.742), defensive rebounds (26.18) and offensive rebounds (12.18).
• Individually, Shelbee Brown is fourth in rebounding (8.12) and in defensive rebounds (5.94), eighth in offensive rebounds (2.18) and 10th in steals (1.94), Liisa Taponen is sixth in offensive rebounds (2.53) and eighth in blocked shots (0.88), while Ni'Rah Clark is second in blocked shots (1.19).
• In league-only games, Akron is ranked second in the MAC in rebounding margin (5.60) and offensive rebounding (13.60), third in blocked shots (3.40) and fifth in field goal percentage (.408) and scoring offense (63.40).
• In conference-only tilts, Ni'Rah Clark is rated first in the league in blocked shots (2.00). Additionally, Liisa Taponen is fourth in offensive rebounding (3.00), Alexus Mobley is seventh in steals (2.00), Zakia Rasheed is seventh in three-point percentage (.385), Emily Hall is sixth in minutes played (35.02) and Shelbee Brown is fourth in rebounding (8.60) and in defensive rebounding (6.20) and eighth in offensive rebounding (2.40).
• The Zips have posted seven 20+ scoring games this season. Shelbee Brown tallied 20 points versus Central Michigan (Jan. 15). Sophomore Teniesha Clarke (Burlington, Ontario) 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).
• 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).
• Nine different Akron players have scored in double figures this season led Alexus Mobley (11), Shelbee Brown (10), Teniesha Clarke (8), Maddie Vejsicky (6), Zakia Rasheed (5), Kam'Ren Rhodes (4), Liisa Taponen (4), Ni'Rah Clark (2) and Emily Hall (1).
• Akron connected on five or more three pointers in 104 of its last 137 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 season 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 17 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), .417 (Eastern Michigan-1), 30 percent: .396 (Michigan), .388 (Colgate), .379 (Tennessee State), .377 (Georgia State), .361 (Robert Morris), .333 (Binghamton), .292 (Central Michigan-1).

ZIPS' DEFENSIVE PROGRESS REPORT
In the Zips' 17 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), .444 (Eastern Michigan-1), .433 (Central Michigan-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 14.2 points per game from Alexus Mobley, four Zips are averaging double-figures in scoring over the last five games. Joining Mobley with 11.4, 11.0 and 10.6 points per outing is Shelbee Brown, Teniesha Clarke and Zakia Rasheed. Brown is pulling down a team-best 8.6 rebounds per contest, while Liisa Taponen is shooting a team-high 59.1 percent from the field.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Akron has once proved to be strong in the paint averaging 33.9 points per game for 576 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 – 33.9 ppg (576) | Season-High - 46 vs. Cleveland State | Miami Hamilton
Points off Turnovers – 14.2 ppg (241) | Season-High - 24 vs. Cleveland State
Second-Chance Points – 11.2 ppg (191) | Season-High - 20 vs. Slippery Rock
Fast-Break Points – 6.6 ppg (112) | Season-High - 15 vs. Miami Hamilton
Bench Points – 17.1 ppg (291) | 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 139-91 record dating back to the 2004-05 campaign.

This season, the Zips are 6-4 in the JAR, averaging 69.7 points per tilt and connecting on nearly 42 percent (.419) of their attempts from the field, while recording 39.1 rebounds, 12.9 assists, 6.0 steals and 4.2 blocks per game.

UP NEXT
Akron travels to Oxford, Ohio, to face Miami in a 7 p.m. tilt on Wednesday (Jan. 22).