Akron Hosts Eastern Michigan on Senior Day

Saturday, March 7

Akron, Ohio

12:00 PM

University of Akron

Eastern Michigan

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March 06 | Women's Basketball

Akron (7-23, 4-13 MAC) vs Eastern Michigan (12-16, 5-12 MAC)
Saturday, March 7
James A. Rhodes Arena
Akron, Ohio

Series History: Akron leads series 32-19
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WHAT'S AHEAD
The University of Akron women's basketball team battles Eastern Michigan in a Senior Day showdown on Saturday (March 7) at James A. Rhodes Arena. The 12:00 p.m. tilt will be broadcast on ESPN+ with Michael Reghi and Dave Bacon on the call as well as on 640 WHLO AM with Jim Clark on the radio call.

Tickets for the contest against the Eagles are available for purchase at http://www.gozips.com/Tickets. Fans are asked to park in Lots 1 (Parking Deck) at corner of Carroll and Spicer Streets. For complete parking information click here.

HEAD COACHES
Eastern Michigan: Sahar Nusseibeh (American, 2009), Overall Record: 46-103 (Fifth Season), Record at Eastern Michigan: 14-43 (Second Season)
Akron: Ryan Gensler (Saint Joseph's, 2009), Overall Record: 28-62 (Third Season), Record at Akron: 28-62 (Third Season)

SCOUTING EASTERN MICHIGAN
Eastern Michigan enters play versus Akron on Saturday (March 7) at 12-16 on the campaign, including 5-12 in the Mid-American Conference, following a 62-54 home setback versus Ohio on Wednesday (March 4).

A trio of Eagles are averaging double figures in scoring as senior Sisi Eleko, freshman Peyton Hill and junior Fernanda Ovalle are posting 17.7, 14.3 and 12.4 points per night, respectively. Eleko also paces Eastern Michigan in rebounding pulling down 9.8 caroms per game. As a team, the Eagles are recording 67.0 points, 35.9 rebounds, 13.6 assists, 7.0 steals and 2.6 blocks per tilt.

Individually, Eleko is rated 15th in the NCAA in double-doubles (16), 19th in defensive rebounding (7.6) and 34th in rebounding, while senior Ainhoa Cea is 16th in assists per game (5.9) and 19th in total assists (166).

SERIES HISTORY
Akron and Eastern Michigan are meeting for the 52nd time in program history with the Zips owning a 32-19 series lead. A year ago, Akron swept the season series earning a 61-56 triumph in Ypsilanti, Mich., on Jan. 11, 2025, before downing the Eagles at James A. Rhodes Arena, 70-53, on March 5, 2025.

IN OUR LAST MEETING (MARCH 5, 2025 – AKRON, OHIO)
Shelbee Brown secured a double-double with 27 points and a career-best 19 rebounds to help Akron take down Eastern Michigan, 70-53, at James A. Rhodes Arena on March 5, 2025.

In addition to Brown's solid performance, the Zips were led by Zakia Rasheed, who had 15 points, and by Alexus Mobley, who added eight points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Brown pulled down eight offensive rebounds to pace an offense that racked up second-chance opportunities for Akron, grabbing 19 boards and turning them into 22 second-chance points.

The Akron defense held Eastern Michigan shooters to only 33.9 percent from the field, including 21.9 percent from three-point range. The Zips also kept Olivia Smith to 6-of-20 shooting in the game.

MASSACHUSETTS EDGES ZIPS
Sophomore Liz Murphy (Yackandandah, Australia), freshman Shaena Brew (Rialto, Calif.) and sophomore Izzy Callaway (Copley, Ohio) combined to score 49 of Akron's 64 total points, but the Zips fell to UMass, 74-64, at James A. Rhodes Arena on Wednesday (March 4).

Murphy led the Zips with a career-high 21-point and career-best eight-rebound performance. Brew added 15 points and two steals, while Callaway added 13 points.

The Akron offense was strong from downtown, knocking down 10 threes on 28 attempts. Murphy hit five treys for the Zips in the contest.

LEAGUE-LEADING MIAMI DEFEATS AKRON
Akron knocked down 10 three pointers, shooting 43.5 percent from deep in a 74-56 loss to Miami on Saturday (Feb. 28).

The Zips had three players score in double figures, led by Liz Murphy, who had 15 points. Shaena Brew added 14 points, six rebounds and four assists and Izzy Callaway helped with 11 points and two steals.

The Akron offense made hay from deep, knocking down 10 threes on 23 attempts. Murphy hit five treys for the Zips in the contest.

AKRON TO HONOR FOUR ZIPS ON SENIOR DAY
The Zips' contest versus Eastern Michigan on Saturday (March 7) will mark Senior Day in the careers of seniors Natalie Johnson (Waldorf, Md.), Kam'Ren Rhodes (Chandler, Ariz.), Liisa Taponen (Tampere, Finland) and Maddie Vejsicky (New Concord, Ohio).

Johnson has appeared in 27 games as a Zip, including 6 starts, recording 4.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists per outing.

Rhodes has played in 19 games as a Zip, including 12 starts, recording 6.3 points, 2.3 assists and 2.1 rebounds per outing.

A three-year member of the Akron squad, Taponen has appeared in 80 career games as a Zip, including earning 35 starts, and has recorded 2.8 points and 3.2 rebounds per contest.

Vejsicky has appeared in 56 career games at Akron, including 22 starts, recording 6.0 points and 2.2 rebounds per outing.

ZIPS HONOR AKRON GREAT RACHEL TECCA
Akron women's basketball all-time great Rachel Tecca had her No. 32 jersey number honored on Saturday (Feb. 21), prior to the Zips' showdown with rival Kent State.

Tecca, No. 32, is the third player in program history to have her jersey number honored, joining the likes of No. 22 Pam Arnold and No. 24 Cheryl Bowles

Tecca represented the Blue and Gold from 2009-14, appearing in 138 games, including 108 as a starter. The Zips registered a 92-68 overall record and a 50-32 mark in the Mid-American Conference, while winning a regular season MAC Eastern Division Championship (2012-13) and MAC Tournament Championship (2013-14), participating in the 2014 NCAA Tournament, which stands as the only appearance in program history. During her career, Tecca amassed 2,317 points, 1,109 rebounds, 189 assists, 183 steals and 75 blocked shots.

Tecca was the fourth player in Akron basketball history to earn All-America honors (2013-14) and added several accolades, including being tabbed the MAC Player of the Year (2012-13), MAC Sixth Player of the Year (2009-10), a three-time First-Team All-MAC selection, MAC All-Freshman Team (2009-10) honoree, two-time MAC All-Tournament Team recipient and MAC Tournament MVP (2013-14).

AKRON HAS RECORD-SETTING NIGHT VERSUS OHIO
• Akron connected on a school-record 20 three pointers.
• Second most triples in an NCAA game this season
• 30th-best single-game effort for NCAA WBB since 1988 (line introduced that season)
• No. 2 mark in Mid-American Conference history for WBB, most versus a MAC opponent
• Most combined points in a game in program history
• Most points scored in program history vs a league opponent
• Fourth-most points scored in a game in program history.

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
Liz Murphy, Keiryn McGuff, Shaena Brew and Izzy Callaway and lead Akron over the last five games averaging a 15.0, 13.8, 13.3 and 12.6 points per contest, respectively. McGuff is pulling down a team-best 7.6 rebounds and is shooting a team-high 58.1 percent from the field.

ZIP TIDBITS
• Liz Murphy posted a career-best 21-point and eight-rebound effort against Massachusetts (March 4).
• Akron has connected on 10 or more three pointers in a game six times this season after hitting on 20, 13, 12, 10, 10 and 10, respectively, versus Ohio (Feb. 18), Heidelberg (Dec.3), LeMoyne (Dec. 21), Toledo (Feb. 4), Miami (Feb. 28) and Massachusetts (March 4).
• Sophomore Ni'Rah Clark (Toledo, Ohio) surpassed the 500-point plateau for her Akron career with a six-point effort at Ball State (Feb. 25) and enters play against Eastern Michigan with 517 career points.
• Five Zips scored in double figures against Ohio (Feb. 18) as Keiryn McGuff posted a career-best 22 points to go along with a then career-high 20-point effort from Liz Murphy. Additionally, Izzy Callaway, Ni'Rah Clark and Shaena Brew tallied19, 18 and 17 points, respectively.
• Akron established 10 career-high marks against the Bobcats (Feb. 18).
• Shaena Brew set an Akron freshman record with 15 assists versus Ohio (Feb. 18).
• Natalie Johnson poured in an Akron career-high 18 points at Northern Illinois (Feb. 14) for the Zips.
• Akron freshmen Shaena Brew and freshmen Corinne Reed (Chicago, Ill.) and Monique Mitchell (South Bend. Ind.) 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 17 contests on the campaign.
• Maddie Vejsicky is averaging 11.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per contest in her career against Eastern 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 Maddie Vejsicky posted a career-best three blocks.
• Liz Murphy 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 18 games this season.
• Corinne Reed has pulled down four or more rebounds in 12 contests on the campaign, including 10 of the last 18 games.
• Keiryn McGuff has registered four or more rebounds 24 times this season, including 20 of the last 21 games.
• Ni'Rah Clark has shot 40 percent or better in 21 games on the campaign en route to maintaining a team-best .506 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 third in the Mid-American Conference in triples made (7.6) and fourth in scoring (69.8), while in league-only affairs the Zips are ranked fourth in three pointers (7.8) and in defensive rebounding (24.8).
• Individually, Izzy Callaway is fourth in three-point percentage (.408) and 10th in triples (1.7), Ni'Rah Clark is ninth in field goal percentage (.506), Shaena Brew is seventh in assists (3.9) and ninth in assist/turnover ratio (1.2).
• In league-only contests Shaena Brew is eighth in assists (4.0) and ninth in assist/turnover ratio (1.2), Liz Murphy is seventh in three-point percentage (.406) and Keiryn McGuff is 10th in rebounding (6.9).
• Akron is 39th in the NCAA in triples attempted (24.7) and 45th in bench scoring (23.8).
• Led by 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. 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), Natalie Johnson (13) and Monique Mitchell (13) scored in double-figures against Heidelberg (Dec. 3). Additionally, Brew and junior Ella Wigal (Granville, Ohio) 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 (17), Izzy Callaway (14), Ni'Rah Clark (13), Keiryn McGuff (11), Monique Mitchell (11), Liz Murphy (6), Corinne Reed (6), Natalie Johnson (3), Kam'Ren Rhodes (1) and Maddie Vejsicky (1).
• Eight different Zips have led the squad in scoring this season led by Ni'Rah Clark (10), Shaena Brew (6), Keiryn McGuff (6), Monique Mitchell (4), Izzy Callaway (3), Liz Murphy (2), Corinne Reed (1) and Maddie Vejsicky (1), while nine different Akron players have paced the team in rebounding headlined by McGuff (17), Clark (9), Brew (6), Reed (4), Ella Wigal (2), Natalie Johnson (1), Murphy (1) and Liisa Taponen (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 14 20+ scoring games this season. Keiryn McGuff tallied 22 points against Ohio (Feb. 18) and 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 21 at Northern Illinois (Feb. 14), 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) and Liz Murphy posted 20 versus Ohio (Feb. 18) and 21 against Massachusetts (March 4).
• 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 (20-OHIO), offensive rebounds (28-GEN), defensive rebounds (34-GEN), rebounds (62-GEN), assists (22-OHIO/LEMO), steals (14-HEID) and blocks (5-HEID).
• Akron has connected on five or more three pointers in 137 of its last 181 contests overall. The Zips hit on a season-high and program record 20 triples in an 108-105 victory versus Ohio (Feb. 18).

ZIPS' OFFENSIVE PROGRESS REPORT
In Akron's 30 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), .465 (Ohio-2), .443 (Kent State-1), .440 (Miami-2), .440 (Robert Morris), .438 (Michigan), .433 (Buffalo-1), .423 (UMass-2), .422 (Northern Illinois-1), .414 (South Alabama), .410 (Geneva), .404 (Louisiana), .400 (Ball State-1), 30 percent: .375 (Kent State-2), .370 (Delaware), .367 (UMass-1), .356 (Youngstown State), .352 (Central Michigan-1), .349 (Bowling Green-1), .321 (Cleveland State), .318 (Ball State-2), .315 (Miami-1), .309 (Ohio-1), 20 percent: .295 (Xavier), .249 (Western Michigan-1).

ZIPS' DEFENSIVE PROGRESS REPORT
In the Zips' 30 games this season, this is how the Zips have fared defensively: 50 percent: .593 (Kent State-1), .559 (Youngstown State), .558 (Miami-1), .527 (Miami-2), .519 (UMass-2), .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), .451 (Ohio-2), .448 (Kent State-2), .434 (Robert Morris), .429 (Bowling Green-1), .419 (Ball State-2), .407 (Xavier), 30 percent: .395 (Binghamton), .393 (Northern Illinois-1), .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 30.4 points per game for 912 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 – 30.4 ppg (912) | Season-High - 62 vs. Heidelberg
Points off Turnovers – 13.8 ppg (413) | Season-High - 39 vs. Heidelberg
Second-Chance Points – 10.3 ppg (309) | Season-High - 29 vs. Geneva
Fast-Break Points – 10.0 ppg (300) | Season-High - 36 vs. Heidelberg
Bench Points – 23.8 ppg (715) | 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 145-105 record dating back to the 2004-05 campaign. This season, the Zips average 76.4 points per tilt and connecting on nearly 42 percent (.416) of their attempts from the field, while recording 38.1 rebounds, 13.3 assists, 6.5 steals and 2.4 blocks per game.

UP NEXT
Saturday's game against Eastern Michigan marks the final contest of the 2025-26 campaign.