Akron Battles Central Michigan

Wednesday, February 11

Mount Pleasant, Mich.

6:30 PM

University of Akron

Central Michigan

February 10 | Women's Basketball

Akron (5-18, 2-8 MAC) at Central Michigan (14-8, 8-3 MAC)
Wednesday, Feb. 11
McGuirk Arena
Mount Pleasant, Mich.

Series History: Chippewas lead series 30-22
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WHAT'S AHEAD
The University of Akron women's basketball team opens a two-game road trip traveling to Mount Pleasant, Mich., to battle Central Michigan on Wednesday (Feb. 11). The 6:30 p.m. tilt will be broadcast on ESPN+ as well as on 640 WHLO AM with Jim Clark on the radio call.

HEAD COACHES
Central Michigan: Kristin Haynie (Michigan State, 2005), Overall Record: 34-47 (Third Season), Record at Central Michigan: 34-47 (Third Season)
Akron: Ryan Gensler (Saint Joseph's, 2009), Overall Record: 26-57 (Third Season), Record at Akron: 26-57 (Third Season)

SCOUTING CENTRAL MICHIGAN
Central Michigan comes into action against Akron on Wednesday (Feb. 11) at 14-8 on the campaign, including 8-3 in the Mid-American Conference, following an 88-81 setback against Marshall on Saturday (Feb. 7).

Sophomores Madi Morson and Ayanna-Sarai Darrington are averaging a team-best 19.5 and 14.3 points per game, respectively, for the Chippewas, while senior Taylor Anderson is pulling down a team-high 8.8 rebounds per contest. As a team, Central Michigan is recording 71.0 points, 42.3 rebounds, 14.3 assists, 6.2 steals and 2.0 blocks per tilt.

As a unit, the Chippewas rated 11th in the NCAA in rebounding margin (10.4), 31st in offensive rebounding (14.9) and 39th in three-point percentage (.350). Individually, Darrington is 17th in field goal percentage (.586) and in offensive rebounding (3.8), while Morson is 22nd in scoring (19.5) and 43rd in total points (429).

SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Central Michigan are meeting for the 53rd in program history with the Chippewas leading the series by a 30-22 margin. The Chippewas posted an 74-53 triumph on Jan. 21 at James A. Rhodes Arena.

IN OUR LAST MEETING (JAN. 21, 2026 – AKRON, OHIO)
Akron fell short in a 74-53 setback to Central Michigan at home at James A. Rhodes Arena on Jan. 21.

Freshman Shaena Brew (Rialto, Calif.) led the Zips with a team-high 16 points. Junior Keiryn McGuff (Dublin, Ohio) also tacked on a nine-point, six-rebound and two-steal performance, while junior Ella Wigal (Granville, Ohio) pulled down a team-high six rebounds to go along with three points off the bench.

Akron forced 17 Central Michigan turnovers turning those takeaways into 12 points on the offensive end of the floor. Sophomore Ni'Rah Clark (Toledo, Ohio) led the way individually with two steals.

AKRON FALLS TO LOUISIANA
Akron fell to Louisiana, 82-71, in the MAC-SBC Challenge at James A. Rhodes Arena on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 7).

The Zips had three players score in double figures, led by Ni'Rah Clark with 19 points and seven rebounds. Clark connected on 6-of-10 shooting from the floor and buried 7-of-8 free throws. Shaena Brew followed with 17 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the floor and a perfect 1-of-1 from downtown and 6-of-6 from the charity stripe. Brew also registered seven of the Zips 13 assists and grabbed three rebounds. Keiryn McGuff rounded out the double-digit scoring with 14 points while adding a team-high eight rebounds.

Clark registered six offensive rebounds as Akron secured 12 offensive boards that led to eight second-chance points. The Zips also recorded 28 paint points and 12 points off the bench.

The Akron defense forced 17 Louisiana turnovers, while turning those takeaways into 17 points on the other end of the floor. Freshman Corinne Reed (Chicago, Ill.) led the way individually for the Zips with three steals and three players followed with one steal each.

ZIPS TRIUMPH OVER TOLEDO
Akron went into halftime tied with Toledo 35-35 but took control in the second half to knock off the Rockets, 77-74, at James A. Rhodes Arena on Feb. 4.

The Zips registered their first victory over Toledo since Jan. 26, 2019, when Akron earned a 70-64 overtime triumph.

The Zips had five players score in double figures, led by Ni'Rah Clark, who had 19 points and seven rebounds. Shaena Brew tacked on 14 points, a career-high nine assists and three steals and sophomore Izzy Callaway (Copley, Ohio) chipped in as well with 13 points off the bench. Freshman Monique Mitchell (South Bend, Ind.) tallied 11 points, while Keiryn McGuff contributed a 10-point and seven-rebound performance.

JONES SELECTED TO WBCA NEXT GENERATION INSTITUTE
Akron women's basketball assistant coach Sarah Jones was among a select group of coaches selected to participate in the 2026 Women's Basketball Coaches Association Next Generation Institute.

Now in its fourth year, the Institute is a high-level education program for experienced assistant coaches who aspire to become collegiate head coach. The curriculum of the WBCA Next Generation Institute focuses on the CEO attributes needed to lead a program and be a problem-solver in today's ever-changing landscape of higher education and the enterprise of intercollegiate athletics. The Institute is held in conjunction with the WBCA Convention, which this year takes place April 2-5 in Phoenix, Ariz.

OVER THE LAST FIVE GAMES
Shaena Brew, Ni'Rah Clark and Keiryn McGuff lead Akron over the last five games averaging a 16.8, 12.3 and 10.6 points per contest, respectively. McGuff is pulling down a team-best 7.2 rebounds, while Clark is shooting a team-high 51.4 percent from the field.

ZIP TIDBITS
• Akron's starting line-up is the youngest in the Mid-American Conference this season with the Zips having started a trio of freshman in 15 contests on the campaign.
• Shaena Brew, Keiryn McGuff, junior Teniesha Clarke (Burlington, Ontario), Ni'Rah Clark and Corinne Reed are averaging 16.0, 9.0, 8.0, 8.0 and 7.0 points per contest in their careers against Central Michigan.
• Shaena Brew's career-high nine assists versus Toledo (Feb. 4) are the most by a Zip since Jordyn Dawson dished out 10 dimes against Bowling Green on Jan. 8, 2022.
• Shaena Brew equaled a career high with a 20-point effort against Buffalo (Jan. 31), while senior Maddie Vejsicky (New Concord, Ohio) posted a career-best three blocks.
• Sophomore Liz Murphy (Yackandandah, Australia) equaled a career high in rebounds pulling down three at Bowling Green, while Keiryn McGuff matched a career-best two steals versus the Falcons.
• Ni'Rah Clark poured in a career-high 25 points at Massachusetts (Jan. 14) on 11-of-16 shooting, while Keiryn McGuff dished out a career-best four assists.
• Shaena Brew has recorded three or more assists in 15 games this season.
• Corinne Reed has pulled down four or more rebounds in 11 contests on the campaign, including nine of the last 14 games.
• Keiryn McGuff has registered four or more rebounds 19 times this season, including 15 straight games.
• Ni'Rah Clark has shot 40 percent or better in 16 games on the campaign en route to maintaining a team-best .517 shooting mark from the field.
• Keiryn McGuff pulled down a career-best 12 rebounds at Western Michigan (Jan. 7), while also recording a career-high four blocked shots. Her four blocks stand as the 11th-best single-game effort in program history matching a four-block performance from Ni'Rah Clark versus Miami Hamilton (Dec. 28, 2024).
• Akron posted seven career-high marks at Ohio (Jan. 3), including a career-best 14-point effort from Corinne Reed, while also equaling a career- and season-high five assists.
• The Zips shot a season-best 58.8 percent from the field versus Le Moyne (Dec. 21), including shooting 75 percent in the third quarter on 9-of-12 shooting.
• On the strength of Akron's 100-65 victory over Geneva (Dec. 16), the Zips have scored 100 or more points twice in a season for the first time since the 2014-15 campaign.
• Akron got double-doubles from both Ni'Rah Clark and Keiryn McGuff marking the first pair of double-doubles in a game from Zips since Reagan Bass (15 points & 13 rebounds) and Molly Neitzel (12 points and 11 rebounds) did so versus Kent State on Feb. 1, 2023.
• Akron is rated fifth in the Mid-American Conference in triples made (7.0), while in league-only affairs the Zips are ranked fourth in three pointers (6.6) and defensive rebounding (24.1) and fifth in offensive rebounding (11.8).
• Individually, Shaena Brew is eighth in assists (3.8), Izzy Callaway is fifth in three-point percentage (.407), Keiryn McGuff is 10th in rebounding (6.2) and Ni'Rah Clark is 10th in field goal percentage (.517).
• In league-only contests Keiryn McGuff is eighth in rebounding (7.0) and Shaena Brew is eighth in assists (3.8).
• Akron is 31st in the NCAA in bench scoring (25.7) and 49th in triples attempted (24.2).
• Led by career-high 36-, 20- and 16-point scoring performances from Izzy Callaway, Shaena Brew and Liz Murphy, the Zips posted 14 career-high marks against Heidelberg (Dec. 3).
• Akron's 117 points against Heidelberg (Dec. 3) represented its highest scoring game since earning a 118-71 triumph past Tennessee Tech on Nov. 12, 2013.
• Izzy Callaway's 36-point effort against Heidelberg stands as the top scoring performance in the Mid-American Conference this season and rates No. 41 in the NCAA. It also ranks sixth on the all-time single-game scoring list in program history last accomplished by Anita Brown on Jan. 14, 2015, at Toledo.
• Izzy Callaway connected on a league-best 13 field goals and eight three pointers against Heidelberg (Dec. 3).
• The eight three pointers for Izzy Callaway versus Heidelberg are the third-best single-game total in program history matching eight drained by Taylor Ruper against Ball State on Feb. 12, 2011.
• Akron's 44 made field goals against Heidelberg is the fourth-best single-game effort in program history, while the 13 triples represent the eighth highest single-game mark.
• A season-best five Zips in Izzy Callaway (36), Shaena Brew (20), Liz Murphy (16), senior Natalie Johnson (Waldorf, Md.) (13) and Monique Mitchell (13) scored in double-figures against Heidelberg (Dec. 3). Additionally, Brew and Ella Wigal pulled down a career-high 10 and nine rebounds, respectively.
• Nine different Akron players have scored in double figures this season led by Shaena Brew (13), Ni'Rah Clark (11), Monique Mitchell (9), Keiryn McGuff (8), Izzy Callaway (6), Corinne Reed (5), Liz Murphy (3), Natalie Johnson (2), redshirt senior Kam'Ren Rhodes (Chandler, Ariz.) (1) and Maddie Vejsicky (1).
• Seven different Zips have led the squad in scoring this season led by Ni'Rah Clark (9), Shaena Brew (5), Monique Mitchell (4), Keiryn McGuff (3), Izzy Callaway (2), Corinne Reed (1) and Maddie Vejsicky (1), while eight different Akron players have paced the team in rebounding headlined by McGuff (13), Clark (8), Brew (4), Reed (4), Ella Wigal (2), Natalie Johnson (1) and senior Liisa Taponen (1) and Vejsicky (1).
• Monique Mitchell registered a career-high 21-point scoring effort at South Alabama (Nov. 3).
• 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.
• The Zips have posted eight 20+ scoring games this season. Keiryn McGuff tallied 20 points versus Le Moyne (Dec. 21). Izzy Callaway netted 36 against Heidelberg (Dec. 3) and Shaena Brew tallied 20 versus both Heidelberg (Dec. 3) and Buffalo (Jan. 31). Ni'Rah Clark scored 22 points at Kent State (Jan. 17), 25 points at Massachusetts (Jan. 14), 22 points at Robert Morris (Nov. 7) and 21 points versus Geneva (Dec. 16), while Monique Mitchell tallied 21 points against South Alabama (Nov. 3) and 20 versus Le Moyne (Dec. 21).
• The 2025-26 season marks the 52nd season of competition for the Akron women's basketball program.
• The Zips own season-high marks in scoring (117-HEID), field goals made (44-HEID), triples (13-HEID), offensive rebounds (28-GEN), defensive rebounds (34-GEN), rebounds (62-GEN), assists (22-LEMO), steals (14-HEID) and blocks (5-HEID).
• Akron has connected on five or more three pointers in 131 of its last 174 contests overall. The Zips hit on a season-high 13 triples in an 117-34 victory versus Heidelberg (Dec. 3).

ZIPS' OFFENSIVE PROGRESS REPORT
In Akron's 23 games this season, this is how the Zips have fared from the field: 50 percent: .588 (Le Moyne), .587 (Heidelberg), .511 (Notre Dame), 40 percent: .469 (Binghamton), .468 (Toledo-1), .443 (Kent State-1), .440 (Robert Morris), .438 (Michigan), .433 (Buffalo-1), .414 (South Alabama), .410 (Geneva), .404 (Louisiana), .400 (Ball State-1), 30 percent: .370 (Delaware), .367 (UMass-1), .356 (Youngstown State), .352 (Central Michigan-1), .321 (Cleveland State), .349 (Bowling Green-1), .315 (Miami-1), .309 (Ohio-1), 20 percent: .295 (Xavier), .249 (Western Michigan-1).

ZIPS' DEFENSIVE PROGRESS REPORT
In the Zips' 23 games this season, this is how the Zips have fared defensively: 50 percent: .593 (Kent State-1), .559 (Youngstown State), .558 (Miami-1), .500 (Louisiana), .500 (Ohio-1), .500 (Ball State-1), 40 percent: .493 (UMass-1), .485 (Michigan), .484 (Toledo-1), .474 (Delaware), .474 (South Alabama), .472 (Le Moyne), .472 (Cleveland State), .470 (Notre Dame), .458 (Buffalo-1), .452 (Central Michigan-1), .434 (Robert Morris), .429 (Bowling Green-1), .407 (Xavier), 30 percent: .395 (Binghamton), .373 (Western Michigan-1), .338 (Geneva), 20 percent: .156 (Heidelberg).

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 31.6 points per game for 726 total points. This season, the Zips posted a season-best 62 points in the paint versus Heidelberg (Dec. 3). Additional inside the numbers for the Zips this season are below.

Points in Paint – 31.6 ppg (726) | Season-High - 62 vs. Heidelberg
Points off Turnovers – 15.0 ppg (345) | Season-High - 39 vs. Heidelberg
Second-Chance Points – 10.4 ppg (239) | Season-High - 29 vs. Geneva
Fast-Break Points – 10.6 ppg (243) | Season-High - 36 vs. Heidelberg
Bench Points – 25.7 ppg (592) | Season-High - 81 vs. Heidelberg

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 144-103 record dating back to the 2004-05 campaign. This season, the Zips average 76.1 points per tilt and connecting on more than 41 percent (.414) of their attempts from the field, while recording 39.3 rebounds, 12.7 assists, 6.6 steals and 2.4 blocks per game.

UP NEXT
Akron travels to Northern Illinois for a 2:00 p.m. ET tilt on Saturday (Feb. 14).