The Eastern Michigan University women’s basketball team will look to defend its Mid-American Conference West standing when it takes on the University of Akron at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Convocation Center.
The Eagles (12-7, 4-2 MAC) have had a lot of success defending home court this season and are 7-1 at home, while the Zips (9-11, 3-3) have struggled on the road, going 4-5 this season.
In order for the Eagles to continue their MAC success, they will depend on senior-guard Tavelyn James to continue her tear through the conference. James is averaging a conference-high 22.7 points and 36.6 minutes, which is good for second in the MAC.
While high-scoring performances have become the norm for James, EMU will also need the rebounding duo of sophomore forward Olivia Fouty (8.2 rebounds per game) and senior forward Paige Redditt (8.2 RPG) to continue their dominance on the glass against Akron.
The Eagles lead the MAC in offensive rebounding with 357 offensive rebounds (18.8 per game).
The Zips started off MAC play rough, losing their first two games to Miami (Ohio) and Bowling Green. Since then, Akron has won three of its last four conference games.
Part of this could be because the team is finally adjusting to the loss of junior forward, and 2010-11 First Team All-MAC selection, Rachel Tecca. Tecca suffered an injury on Dec. 14 in a game against Duquesne.
Akron had high expectations in the preseason and expected to be led by Tecca. She averaged 17.0 points before the injury and recorded one of the best seasons in Zip history last season, as she averaged 15.8 points, good for the fifth-most ever in single-season school history.
Since the loss, Coach Jodi Kest has readjusted the Zips to having a more balanced offensive-attack, resulting in three players averaging at least 10 points. Sophomore guard/forward Sina Kina (12.0 PPG), junior guard Taylor Ruper (10.4 PPG) and senior forward Jasmine Mushington (10.2
PPG) have all risen to the occasion.
The Zips will also look to shoot from behind the three-point line. Akron is leading the conference in three-point field goals made with 135 (6.8 per game).
EMU’s length on the perimeter could be an asset in this contest, and it will certainly have to limit the number of three-point field goals Akron makes in the game.
Eastern is sitting atop the MAC West with Toledo running close behind. Both teams hold a 4-2 MAC record, however, the Eagles hold a slight
advantage overall as they are 12-7 with Toledo sitting at 11-7. EMU also defeated Toledo 70-66 in the teams’ first matchup of the 2011-12 season Jan. 11.
Bowling Green, after taking a 70-54 win against EMU on Sunday, holds the top spot in the MAC and remains undefeated (6-0). Miami is the only
other team the Eagles have to catch up to as the RedHawks are second in the MAC East with a 5-1 record (15-4 overall).
The women’s game will be the first of a double-header as the men will take on Bowling Green at 6 p.m.
