Ball State University Athletics
Ball State University
University of Akron
Women's Basketball Travels to Akron Saturday For MACtion
January 14, 2022 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 15 | Akron, Ohio | James A. Rhodes Arena | 2 p.m. ET
Watch: ESPN3 | Listen: Muncie Sports Station (102.9 FM/1340 AM) | Live Stats
Game Notes: Ball State | Akron
Opening Tip:
- Saturday's game against Akron will mark the 45th time in program history the two schools have met with the Cardinals leading the all-time series, 26-18. Ball State has won eight of the last 10 meetings against the Zips. Brady Sallee owns an 8-7 mark against Akron. Ball State split its two-game series with Akron last year winning at James A. Rhodes Arena on Dec. 20, 2020 by a score of 67-60 and then lost in Worthen Arena on Feb. 6 in overtime, 84-89.
- Ball State so far owns a 2-1 ledger on the road in MAC action and 4-1 overall. The road warriors are coming off of an 83-73 win at Eastern Michigan Wednesday night in league play. From start to finish the Cardinals dominated on both offense and defense. Ball State managed to outrebound Eastern Michigan 38-24. The Cardinals led the entire contest versus the Eagles. Graduate student Chyna Latimer led Ball State in scoring with a season best 17-point performance.
- Akron is looking to extend its win streak to four Saturday against Ball State. The Zips have recently defeated Kent State (62-61), Bowling Green (79-69) and Miami (66-53) with Akron's lone league loss coming against the Toledo Rockets (58-64). Redshirt senior forward Jordyn Dawson led the Zips Wednesday night with a double-double against the RedHawks with 25-points and 10 rebounds.
In the Nation In 3's:
The Cardinals currently rank 13th in the nation among its Division I peers in 3-point field goals per game (9.2). Ball State also ranks in the top-50 in 3-point field goal attempts coming in at 11 with 384 and 24th in the nation for total 3-pointers with 120.
Sallee Is HOT In January:
It may be cold outside but the Cardinals tend to get hot in the month of January under 10th-year head coach Brady Sallee. Sallee owns an overall record of 49-26 (.657) in the month of January dating back to his first season in 2012-13.
Backs, Crashers and Keys:
This year, the Cardinals are forgoing "traditional" positions and using their own such as backs, crashers, and keys, to bring a sense of team unity. That system proved to be the lift Ball State needed, especially with so many new faces on the court. BSU started the season 2-0 for the first time since 2017.
MAC COVID Game Policy:
The MAC announced that due to the current rise in COVID cases and its impact on winter sport programs. If possible, games that cannot be played as scheduled will be rescheduled. If a game cannot be played and cannot be rescheduled, it will be considered a no contest. For men's and women's basketball, a team must meet a minimum threshold of seven scholarship student-athletes and one coach to play a game.
Scouting Akron:
- As a team, Akron ranks 9th n the NCAA and leads the conference in fewest turnovers (139), 2nd in conference in FG% defense (38.5), 28th in fewest fouls (161).
- Akron ranks 66th in the NCAA and second in the conference in Blocked shots per game (4.2).
- Akron returns nearly its entire roster from last season which is led by redshirt senior forward Jordyn Dawson who its averaging 19.7 points per contest and 8.8 rebounds.
- Head coach Melissa Jackson is in her fourth season at the helm of the Zips. Last year Akron ended the season with an overall record of 7-14 while posting a 4-14 MAC ledger.
- Akron was picked to finished last in the 2021-22 preseason MAC Women's Basketball Coaches' Poll. Right now the Zips currently sit in third place in the league's standings as of Friday, Jan. 14.
Next Game:
After today's contest, the Cardinals finally return home to Worthen Arena next week to host Toledo on Wednesday, Jan. 19 at 6:30 p.m. ET and Central Michigan on Saturday, Jan. 22 at 1 p.m. ET.
