Local Rivalry Renewed as Akron Visits Cleveland State

Sunday, November 16

Cleveland, Ohio

2:00 PM

University of Akron

Cleveland State

Photo by: Jeff Myers/Notre Dame Athletics

Local Rivalry Renewed as Akron Visits Cleveland State

November 15 | Women's Basketball

Akron (0-3) at Cleveland State (3-0)
Sunday, Nov. 16
Wolstein Center
Cleveland, Ohio

Series History: Cleveland State leads 28-18
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 closes out a four-game road swing to open the campaign visiting Cleveland State on Sunday (Nov. 16). The 2 p.m. tilt will be broadcast on ESPN+ as well as on GoZips.com with Jim Clark on the radio call.

HEAD COACHES
Cleveland State: Chris Kielsmeier (Iowa State, 1998), Overall Record: 571-186 (26th Season), Record at Cleveland State: 155-70 (Eighth Season)
Akron: Ryan Gensler (Saint Joseph's, 2009), Overall Record: 21-42 (Third Season), Record at Akron: 21-42 (Third Season)

SCOUTING CLEVELAND STATE
Cleveland State comes into play versus Akron on Sunday (Nov. 16) at 3-0 on the campaign following a 97-24 victory over Pitts-Johnstown on Wednesday (Nov. 12).

Redshirt seniors Colbi Maples and Izabella Zingaro are the leading the Vikings in scoring averaging 16.3 and 14.0 points per game, while Zingaro is pulling down a team-best 7.3 rebounds per contest. As a team, Cleveland State is recording 78.7 points, 44.7 rebounds, 14.0 assists, 13.3 steals and 3.0 blocks per tilt.

As a team, Cleveland State is rated first in the NCAA in winning percentage (1.000), third in free throws made (21.67) and free throws attempted (29.67), fourth in field goal defense (.265), sixth in three point defense (.143) and scoring defense (44.7), 20th in rebounding margin (17.3), 30th in field goal percentage (.494), 33rd in scoring margin (34.0) and 46th in steals per game (13.3). Individually, redshirt junior Jada Leonard is ranked 15th in steals per game (4.33) and 17th in steals (13), while Maples is 40th in free throws made (17) and 41st in free throws attempted (22).

SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Cleveland State are meeting for the 47th time in program history since the inaugural meeting in 1975. In 46 contests between the Zips and Vikings, Cleveland State holds a 28-18 all-time series record against Akron after the Zips registered an 85-74 triumph on Nov. 16, 2024, at James A. Rhodes Arena.

IN OUR LAST MEETING (NOV. 16, 2024 – CLEVELAND, OHIO)
Akron rallied from a third-quarter deficit to register a come-from-behind 85-74 victory over Cleveland State on Nov. 16, 2024, at James A. Rhodes Arena.

The Zips had four players score in double figures, led by junior Teniesha Clarke (Burlington, Ontario), who had a career-high 20 points. Senior Kam'Ren Rhodes (Chandler, Ariz.) added 18 points, Alexus Mobley chipped in as well with 14 points and two steals off the bench, while Shelbee Brown added 12 points.

Akron shared the ball well racking up 17 assists. Individually, Zakia Rasheed led the way for the Zips with four assists.

The Akron defense forced 17 Cleveland State turnovers, while committing a season-low 10. Those takeaways turned into 24 points on the offensive end of the floor. Brown's three steals led the way individually for the Zips.

After falling behind 13-9, Akron went on a 10-0 run with 4:43 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from Clarke, to take a 19-13 lead. The Zips entered the quarter break with a 23-21 advantage.

Akron kept its first-quarter lead intact before going on a 6-0 run starting at the 9:49 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Clarke, to increase its lead to 29-21. The Vikings then battled back to even it up at 43-43 heading into halftime.

After intermission, Cleveland State snatched a 51-47 lead before Akron answered back by going on a 5-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Rhodes, to grab a 52-51 lead with 6:20 to go in the third. Cleveland State responded to seize a 62-61 lead entering the fourth quarter.

The Zips then came back to even it up at 74-74 before going on an 11-0 run to seize an 85-74 lead with 27 seconds to go in the contest, a score which held for the rest of the game.

NO. 17/18 NOTRE DAME EDGES AKRON
Akron kept No. 17/18 Notre Dame to just 20 percent from beyond the arc in a 4-for-20 shooting performance but fell 85-58 to the Fighting Irish on the road on Wednesday (Nov. 12).

The Zips had three players score in double figures, led by sophomore Ni'Rah Clark (Toledo, Ohio), who had 13 points. Freshman Shaena Brew (Rialto, Calif.) added a career-high 12 points and two steals, and freshman Corinne Reed (Chicago, Ill.) helped out with a career-best 11 points from the bench.

Akron's defense held Notre Dame to only 20 percent shooting from beyond the arc. The Zips also limited Vanessa de Jesus to 0-of-7 shooting from downtown and four points in the game.

Akron fell behind early in the contest and trailed 25-12 at the end of the first quarter.

Notre Dame kept adding to that lead, building a 46-27 advantage before Akron went on a 7-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Clark, to narrow its deficit to 46-34. Notre Dame responded and expanded its lead, leaving the Zips trailing 48-34 heading into halftime.

Akron's deficit continued to grow as the Zips faced a 70-45 disadvantage heading to the fourth quarter. Akron played well near the basket, scoring 10 of its 11 points in the paint.

Akron could not pull any closer in the fourth, losing by a final of 85-58. Akron got a boost from its bench in the period, with non-starters scoring four of its 13 total points.

Akron went into the half tied 29-29 with Robert Morris but could not take control in the second half and fell 70-61 to the Colonials on the road Nov. 7.

Ni'Rah Clark led the Zips with a career-high 22 points to go along with seven rebounds. Freshman Monique Mitchell (South Bend, Ind.) added 12 points and two steals, and sophomore Izzy Callaway (Copley, Ohio) helped out with six points and four assists from the bench.

Akron forced 18 Robert Morris turnovers converting those takeaways into 16 points on the other end of the floor. Mitchell's two steals led the way for Akron.

Akron struggled out of the gate, falling behind 15-10 at the end of the first quarter. Robert Morris added to its advantage building a 29-22 advantage before Akron went on a 7-0 run, highlighted by a three from Clark, to tie the game at 29, a score that held until halftime. Akron was strong from deep in the period, knocking down three three-point shots to account for nine of its 19 points.

Robert Morris proceeded to take over in the third quarter, and the Zips entered the fourth trailing 42-36. Akron knocked down one three-pointer in the quarter to score three of its seven total points.

Robert Morris widened its lead in the fourth, constructing a 50-38 advantage before Akron went on a 7-0 run, finished off by senior Natalie Johnson's (Waldorf, Md.) layup, to shrink the deficit to 50-45 with 7:00 to go in the contest. Robert Morris responded and outscored the Zips the rest of the way, ending the game with a final score of 70-61. Akron took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 14 of its 25 points in the paint.

ZIP TIDBITS
• Akron recorded 10 career-high marks against Notre Dame (Nov. 12), including Shaena Brew and Corinne Reed scoring career-high totals in scoring netting 12 and 11 points, respectively.
• The Zips shot a season-best 51.1 percent from the field versus the Fighting Irish (Nov. 12), including shooting more than 69 percent (.691) in the second quarter on 9-of-13 shooting.
• Five Akron players posted career-high marks at Robert Morris (Nov. 7), including a career-best 22-point effort from Ni'Rah Clark.
• Freshmen Monique Mitchell registered a career-high 21-point scoring effort at South Alabama (Nov. 3).
• Ni'Rah Clark is rated fourth in the NCAA in field goal percentage (.810).
• The Zips garnered 12 career-high marks at South Alabama, with Brew dishing out a career- and game-high five assists, while junior Ella Wigal (Granville, Ohio) posted a season-best two steals.
• The 2024-25 WBCA Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll included Akron, who under head coach Ryan Gensler earned special mention nods for having a 3.225 overall team GPA for the 2024-25 academic year.
• Akron is rated third in the Mid-American Conference in field goal percentage (.452) and fifth in three-point percentage (.296).
• Individually, Monique Mitchell is second in three-point percentage (.500) and seventh in triples per game (1.7) and in field goal percentage (.615*), while Ni'Rah Clark is first in field goal percentage (.810), Keiryn McGuff is fifth in blocks (1.0), Shaena Brew is ninth in assists (3.3) and Ella Wigal is 10th in three-point percentage (.429).
• In league-only games a year ago, Akron ranked second in the MAC in offensive rebounding (12.7) and third in rebounding margin (5.76) and in rebounding (36.7).
• In conference-only tilts, Clark rated fourth in the league in blocked shots (1.0). Additionally, Emily Hall was fifth in minutes played (35.4) and Shelbee Brown was third in offensive rebounding (3.4), steals (2.3) and in rebounding (9.4), sixth in defensive rebounding (6.1) and seventh in scoring (16.4).
• The Zips have posted 2 20+ scoring games this season. Ni'Rah Clark scored 22 points at Robert Morris (Nov. 7), while Monique Mitchell tallied 21 points versus South Alabama (Nov. 3).
• The 2025-26 season marks the 52nd season of competition for the Akron women's basketball program.
• 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 own season-high marks in scoring (63-USA), field goals made (24-USA | Notre Dame), triples (6-USA), offensive rebounds (11-USA), defensive rebounds (22-USA | RMU), rebounds (33-USA), assists (14-RMU), steals (10-Notre Dame) and blocks (3-Notre Dame).
• Four different Akron players have scored in double figures this season led Monique Mitchell (2), Ni'Rah Clark (2), Shaena Brew (1) and Corinne Reed (1).
• Akron connected on five or more three pointers in 113 of its last 154 contests overall. The Zips hit on a season-high six triples in an 87-63 setback at South Alabama (Nov. 3).

AKRON UNVEILS TALENTED SEVEN-MEMBER NEWCOMER CLASS
Akron under the leadership of third-year head coach Ryan Gensler, boast a talented seven-member newcomer class for 2025-26.

Donning the Akron uniform this season will be senior Natalie Johnson (Waldorf, Md.), Keiryn McGuff, sophomore Izzy Callaway (Copley, Ohio) and freshmen Kailee Bransford (Cincinnati, Ohio), Shaena Brew, Corinne Reed and Monique Mitchell.

ZIPS' OFFENSIVE PROGRESS REPORT
In Akron's three games this season, this is how the Zips have fared from the field: 50 percent: .511 (Notre Dame), 40 percent: .440 (Robert Morris), .414 (South Alabama), 30 percent: NA, 20 percent: NA.

ZIPS' DEFENSIVE PROGRESS REPORT
In the Zips' three games this season, this is how the Zips have fared defensively: 50 percent: .NA, 40 percent: .474 (South Alabama), .470 (Notre Dame), .434 (Robert Morris), 30 percent: .NA, 20 percent: NA.

MAC PRESEASON POLL
The Zips under third-year head coach Ryan Gensler, were picked to finish eighth as a team behind preseason league and tournament favorite preseason favorite Kent State (5 first-place votes and 133 points). The Golden Flashes were followed by Toledo (2 votes, 118 points), UMass (3 votes, 115), Ball State (3 votes, 112), Central Michigan (105), Bowling Green (101), Miami (86), Akron (51), Western Michigan (48), Ohio (44), Buffalo (42), Eastern Michigan (36) and Northern Illinois (23).

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Akron has once proved to be strong in the paint averaging 32.0 points per game for 96 total points. This season, the Zips posted a season-best 32 points in the paint at Notre Dame (Nov. 12), Robert Morris (Nov. 7) and South Alabama (Nov. 3). Additional inside the numbers for the Zips this season are below.

Points in Paint – 32.0 ppg (96) | Season-High - 32 at South Alabama | at Robert Morris | at Notre Dame
Points off Turnovers – 14.3 ppg (43) | Season-High -16 at Robert Morris
Second-Chance Points – 3.7 ppg (14) | Season-High - 8 at Notre Dame
Fast-Break Points – 5.7 ppg (17) | Season-High - 12 at Robert Morris
Bench Points – 20.7 ppg (62) | Season-High - 24 at South Alabama

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 20 seasons. When playing on its home court, Akron owns a 140-96 record dating back to the 2004-05 campaign.

Last season, the Zips averaged 66.6 points per tilt and connecting on nearly 41 percent (.406) of their attempts from the field, while recording 39.0 rebounds, 11.9 assists, 6.6 steals and 3.3 blocks per game.

UP NEXT
Akron opens its home campaign welcoming Binghamton to James A. Rhodes Arena for a 6 p.m. tilt on Thursday (Nov. 20).