Ball State University
University of Akron
Women's Basketball Looks To Extend Win Streak To Six; Hosts Akron Saturday
February 05, 2021 | Women's Basketball
Ball State (9-5, 7-3 MAC) vs. Akron (4-10, 1-10 MAC)
Mount Pleasant, Mich. | McGuirk Arena
Watch: ESPN+Â | Listen:Â Muncie Sports Station (102.9 FM/1340 AM)Â | Live Stats
Game Notes: Ball State | Akron
Opening Tip:
• Saturday's game against Akron will mark the 44th time in program history the two schools have met with the Cardinals leading the all-time series, 26-17. Ball State has won eight of the last nine meetings against the Zips. Brady Sallee owns an 8-6 mark against Akron. Saturday's contest marks the second of a two-game series against BSU and Akron. Ball State won the first meeting 67-60 at James A. Rhodes Arena on Dec. 20.
• Ball State is looking to extend its win streak to six after bringing home a 69-67 road victory at Central Michigan Wednesday night in McGuirk Arena. The Cardinals used a 17-4 run that began late in the third quarter and continued to the fourth frame to seal the win over the Chippewas. Despite a late tie at 64 apiece with seconds remaining, BSU would lean on sophomore guard Sydney Freeman who was sent to the line twice with seconds left. She made all four free throws to secure the team's fifth-straight victory. Senior forward Oshlynn Brown Brown led Ball State in scoring (25) and rebounding (11) for the 40th double-double of her career.Â
• The Zips enter tonight's contest on a six-game losing streak. Akron hasn't won a game since Jan. 9, defeating Miami, 84-77, for its lone Mid-American Conference victory of the season.Â
• A win over the Zips will extend the Cardinals' win streak to six in MAC play, a feat that hasn't been accomplished since head coach Brady Sallee's first season in 2012-13. That year held the six-game streak from Jan. 19 until Feb. 10 with wins over Kent State, Buffalo, Ohio, Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan.
Consistent Clephane:
Redshirt sophomore Anna Clephane led the Cardinals charge with a career best 24-points at Ohio. Clephane made some key baskets at some crucial times to give Ball State the 88-85 overtime road win at Ohio on Jan. 13. Clephane continues playing a vital role to the Cardinals success after scoring 16 points in a 68-64 victory at Eastern Michigan on Jan. 23. Clephane knocked down a last second 3-pointer at the end of the first quarter that sent the Cardinals into a 20-12 scoring spree in the second period to take the 56-41 lead at intermission. She also brought BSU back to life on many occasions against the RedHawks ending the night with 12 on Jan. 27, then scored 14 points at WMU on Jan. 30 and chipped in 14 at CMU on Feb. 3. Currently, Clephane ranks fifth on the team in overall scoring (10.9 ppg) and third in MAC games only (12.4 ppg.)
1,000 Points, 1,000 Rebounds:
Senior Oshlynn Brown currently has 1,263 career points and 951Â rebounds. Brown needs 49 rebounds to hit 1,000. Brown will become only the second player in Ball State women's basketball history to reach 1,000 points and rebounds. Former Cardinal Emma Jones (1984-87) so far is the lone player in program history to get 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds.
Rebound That Basketball:
Senior forward Oshlynn Brown is moving up the all-time rebounds list at Ball State. She currently ranks 4th with 940 rebounds. Brown needs 36 rebounds to take sole possession of the third spot which is currently held by former Cardinal Nathalie Fontaine (2012-16) with 985 rebounds. Brown needs 58 rebounds to become the BSU's all-time leader in that category which is currently owned by for Cardinal Emma Jones (1984-87) with 1,028 rebounds.Â
Where BSU Ranks In The MAC:
Senior forward Oshlynn Brown ranks first in Mid-American Conference games only averaging 12.4 rebounds per contest while teammate sophomore point guard Sydney Freeman comes in the top four in minutes played averaging 37.3 minutes per contest and in assists 4.6. Currently, the Cardinals sit in fourth in the current MAC standings as of Feb. 5, 2021.
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