Akron vs. Ohio: Women’s Basketball Game Preview – Feb. 18 | Live Stream & Tickets

Akron Welcomes Ohio to the JAR

The University of Akron women’s basketball team will host the Ohio Bobcats at James A. Rhodes Arena on Wednesday, February 18, at 6:00 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ with Michael Reghi and Jeff Phelps calling the action, and also on 640 WHLO AM with Jim Clark providing radio coverage.

Akron enters the contest with a 6-19 overall record and a 3-9 mark in Mid-American Conference play, while Ohio boasts a 15-9 record overall and a 9-4 record in the MAC. The Bobcats lead the all-time series between the two schools 51-24.

Tickets for Wednesday’s game are available for purchase at http://www.gozips.com/Tickets. Fans are encouraged to park in Lots 1 (Parking Deck) at the corner of Carroll and Spicer Streets. More parking information can be found here.

Ohio is coming off a 71-61 victory over Kent State on Saturday, February 14. Junior Bailey Tabeling leads the Bobcats in scoring, averaging a team-best 13.3 points per game, along with 3.0 assists and 2.4 steals. Redshirt sophomore Bella Ranallo contributes 11.7 points per contest. As a team, Ohio averages 74.0 points, 35.8 rebounds, 13.5 assists, 12.0 steals, and 3.1 blocks per game. The Bobcats are ranked fourth nationally in three-pointers made per game (9.8).

Akron is looking to bounce back after a 75-68 overtime win against Northern Illinois on Saturday, February 14. Ni’Rah Clark led the Zips with 21 points, while Natalie Johnson added a career-high 18 points off the bench, and Monique Mitchell chipped in with 10 points and two steals. The Zips rallied past the Huskies thanks to a go-ahead basket from Clark with 2:43 remaining in overtime.

Prior to the Northern Illinois victory, Akron fell to Central Michigan 86-79 on the road on February 11. Despite career-high scoring performances from Shaena Brew (26 points) and Monique Mitchell (23 points), the Zips were unable to secure the win. Corinne Reed also added a career-best 15 points in the contest.

The head coaches for Wednesday’s matchup are Bob Bolden of Ohio (315-261 overall record, 217-173 at Ohio) and Ryan Gensler of Akron (27-58 overall record, 27-58 at Akron).

In the last meeting between the two teams on January 3, 2026, Ohio defeated Akron 73-56 in Athens, Ohio. Freshman Corinne Reed led the Zips with 14 points, six rebounds, and five assists in that contest.

Several Zips players have been contributing consistently throughout the season. Ni’Rah Clark is averaging 9.7 points per game, while Shaena Brew is averaging 16.6 points over the last five games. Keiryn McGuff is averaging 6.1 rebounds per game overall and 6.8 rebounds over the last five games.

Akron assistant coach Sarah Jones was recently selected to participate in the 2026 Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Next Generation Institute, a high-level education program for aspiring collegiate head coaches.

Following Wednesday’s game against Ohio, Akron will host rival Kent State on Saturday, February 21, at 12 p.m.