Akron Squares Off Versus Northern Illinois in MAC Matinee Affair

Saturday, February 14

DeKalb, Ill.

2:00 PM ET

University of Akron

Northern Illinois

Photo by: Lauren Verellen Photo

Akron Squares Off Versus Northern Illinois in MAC Matinee Affair

February 13 | Women's Basketball

Akron (5-19, 2-9 MAC) at Northern Illinois (5-19, 2-10 MAC)
Saturday, Feb. 14
NIU Convocation Center
DeKalb, Ill.

Series History: Huskies leads series 26-14
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 DeKalb, Ill., to square off against Northern Illinois on Saturday (Feb. 14). The 2:00 p.m. ET tilt will be broadcast on ESPN+ as well as on 640 WHLO AM with Jim Clark on the radio call.

HEAD COACHES
Northern Illinois: Jacey Brooks (Buffalo State, 2006), Overall Record: 84-51 (Fifth Season), Record at Northern Illinois: 5-19 (First Season)
Akron: Ryan Gensler (Saint Joseph's, 2009), Overall Record: 26-58 (Third Season), Record at Akron: 26-58 (Third Season)

SCOUTING NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Northern Illinois comes into action against Akron on Saturday (Feb. 14) at 5-19 on the campaign, including 2-10 in the Mid-American Conference, following an 75-54 setback against Massachusetts on Tuesday (Feb. 10).

Junior Navaeh Wingate and redshirt senior Nadechka Laccen are averaging a team-best 12.0 and 10.6 points per game, respectively, for the Huskies, while Wingate is pulling down a team-high 5.5 rebounds per contest. As a team, Northern Illinois is recording 55.8 points, 31.2 rebounds, 10.6 assists, 7.7 steals and 1.9 blocks per tilt.

SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Northern Illinois are meeting for the 41st in program history with the Huskies leading the series by a 26-14 margin. The Zips posted a 73-71 triumph over Northern Illinois on Jan. 8, 2025, at James A. Rhodes Arena.

IN OUR LAST MEETING (JAN. 8, 2025 – AKRON, OHIO)
Akron's Zakia Rasheed, Shelbee Brown and Alexus Mobley 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 Jan. 8, 2025.

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. Brown added a 17-point and 11-rebound performance, while Mobley chipped in as well with 17 points, four assists and two steals.

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

CAREER EFFORTS NOT ENOUGH AS CENTRAL MICHIGAN EDGES ZIPS
Freshman Shaena Brew (Rialto, Calif.) collected a career-high 26 points and freshman Monique Mitchell (South Bend, Ind.) added a career-best 23, but Akron fell to Central Michigan, 86-79, on the road on Wednesday (Feb. 11).

Brew and Mitchell's stellar scoring performances led the Zips in the contest. Brew tacked on five rebounds and four assists. Freshman Corinne Reed (Chicago, Ill.) also added a career-high 15 points.

The Akron defense caused its share of mistakes forcing 14 Central Michigan turnovers. Those takeaways turned into 14 points on the other end of the floor. Junior Keiryn McGuff (Dublin, Ohio) led the way individually for the Zips with two steals.

AKRON FALLS TO LOUISIANA
Akron fell to Louisiana, 82-71, in the MAC-SBC Challenge at James A. Rhodes Arena on 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. Corinne Reed led the way individually for the Zips with three steals and three players followed with one steal each.

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 Monique Mitchell lead Akron over the last five games averaging a 18.8, 12.0 and 10.8 points per contest, respectively. Keiryn McGuff is pulling down a team-best 6.4 rebounds, while junior Ella Wigal (Granville, Ohio) is shooting a team-high 58.3 percent from the field.

ZIP TIDBITS
• Akron freshmen Shaena Brew, Corinne Reed and Monique Mitchell each tallied career-high scoring totals at Central Michigan as the trio recorded 26, 23 and 15 points, respectively. It marked the first time in their young Akron careers that the Zips' starting trio all surpassed the double-figure scoring plateau in the same game.
• 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 16 contests on the campaign.
• Junior Teniesha Clarke (Burlington, Ontario) and Ni'Rah Clark are averaging 8.5 and 8.0 points per contest in their careers against Northern Illinois.
• 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 16 games this season.
• Corinne Reed has pulled down four or more rebounds in 11 contests on the campaign, including nine of the last 15 games.
• Keiryn McGuff has registered four or more rebounds 19 times this season, including 15 of the last 16 games.
• Ni'Rah Clark has shot 40 percent or better in 17 games on the campaign en route to maintaining a team-best .519 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 then 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.
• The Zips netted six career-best marks against Le Moyne (Dec. 21).
• 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.
• The Akron bench came alive against Geneva adding 65 points to its scoring output, en route to five Akron players scored 10 or more points, including a trio off the bench.
• The Zips posted 11 career-best totals versus Geneva (Dec. 16), including 17- and 13-point efforts from Liz Murphy and Corinne Reed, while Monique Mitchell pulled down a career-high nine rebounds.
• Akron is rated fifth in the Mid-American Conference in triples made (7.0) and three-point defense (.303), while in league-only affairs the Zips are ranked fifth in three pointers (6.5).
• Individually, Shaena Brew is eighth in assists (3.8), sophomore Izzy Callaway (Copley, Ohio) is seventh in three-point percentage (.402) and Ni'Rah Clark is 10th in field goal percentage (.519).
• In league-only contests Shaena Brew is eighth in assists (3.8), Monique Mitchell is ninth in free throw percentage (.813) and Keiryn McGuff is 10th in rebounding (6.5).
• Akron is 38th in the NCAA in bench scoring (24.9) and 49th in triples attempted (24.0).
• 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. 43 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 (14), Ni'Rah Clark (11), Monique Mitchell (10), Keiryn McGuff (8), Izzy Callaway (6), Corinne Reed (6), 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 (6), 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 (5), Reed (4), Ella Wigal (2), Natalie Johnson (1) and senior Liisa Taponen (Tampere, Finland) (1) and Vejsicky (1).
• 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 10 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 26 at Central Michigan (Feb. 11) and 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 23 points at Central Michigan (Feb. 11), 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 132 of its last 175 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 24 games this season, this is how the Zips have fared from the field: 50 percent: .588 (Le Moyne), .587 (Heidelberg), .533 (Central Michigan-2), .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' 24 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), .481 (Central Michigan-2), .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 32.3 points per game for 774 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 – 32.3 ppg (774) | Season-High - 62 vs. Heidelberg
Points off Turnovers – 15.0 ppg (359) | Season-High - 39 vs. Heidelberg
Second-Chance Points – 10.3 ppg (247) | Season-High - 29 vs. Geneva
Fast-Break Points – 10.4 ppg (250) | Season-High - 36 vs. Heidelberg
Bench Points – 25.0 ppg (599) | 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 welcomes Ohio to James A. Rhodes Arena for a 6 p.m. contest on Wednesday (Feb. 18).