GAME #4
Cleveland State vs. Akron
Sunday, November 16 | 2:00 p.m. | Wolstein Center
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SETTING THE SCENE
The Cleveland State women's basketball team will close out the second week of the 2025-26 season at home this weekend, hosting Akron on Sunday, November 16 at 2:00 p.m. Entering Sunday's contest, the Vikings are 3-0 on the year, while the zips currently stand at 0-3 on the year.
 
A WIN ON SUNDAY WOULD…
Keep Cleveland State undefeated on the season…Give the Vikings 29 wins against Akron in program history…Put Cleveland State at 50-3 over the last four seasons when playing at home.
 
THE CLEVELAND STATE/AKRON SERIES
Sunday's game will mark the 47th meeting between the two teams, with Cleveland State owning a 28-18 advantage in the all-time series. The Vikings enter Sunday having won three out of the last four matchups, including a 71-62 victory the last time the two teams played in the Wolstein Center during the 2023-24 campaign.
 
SCOUTING THE ZIPS
Akron enters Sunday's game with an 0-3 record on the year, with Sunday's game marking the fourth straight road contest to open the season for the Zips…Earlier this year, the Zips were selected to finish eighth in the MAC Preseason Poll…Cleveland State will be the second of three Horizon League opponents for Akron, as the Zips dropped a 70-61 contest against Robert Morris last week…Through three games, Ni'Rah Clark (13.7 ppg) and Monique Mitchell (13.3) are leading the Akron offense, while Clark also has a team-best 5.7 rebounds per game…Akron will be under the direction of third year head coach Ryan Gensler.
 
NEW LOOK VIKINGS
This year's edition of the Vikings features just three returners from last year's team - Colbi Maples, Macey Fegan and Sarah Hurley - while they are joined by 11 newcomers. This newcomer group includes nine transfers and two true freshmen. Despite having 11 newcomers on the roster, this group has a vast amount of collegiate experience, with all nine of the transfers having started at least one game at their previous institutions.
 
…ALL 11 MAKE VIKING DEBUTS
All 11 of Cleveland State's newcomers made their debuts in the season opener last week, while the quartet of Izabella Zingaro, Ella VanWeelden, Jada Leonard, and Paula Pique have earned a spot in the starting lineup throughout the first two weeks of the season. So far, nine of the 11 newcomers have recorded points through the first three games.
 
HOME-SWEET-HOME
Sunday's game against Akron will be the third of 17 home games for the Vikings this season. Over the last four seasons, the Vikings have combined for a 49-3 reord when playing at home, including a perfect 17-0 record during the 2023-24 campaign. Once again, the Vikings will be playing a limited number of games in Woodling Gymnasium, hosting four total games in their alternate venue this season.
 
ROYAL-DAVIS RECORDS DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Last time out, redshirt-senior Madison Royal-Davis recorded her first double-double of the season, finishing with 12 points and 13 rebounds against Pitt Johnstown. Royal-Davis became the third Viking to notch a double-double this season, while she is now averaging 4.3 points and 7.0 rebounds per game on the year. In addition, Royal-Davis also recorded five assists and four steals on the game.
 
…DOUBLE-DIGIT REBOUNDING PERFORMANCES
So far this season at least one Viking has finished with double-digit rebounds in each game, with Macey Fegan, Paula Pique, Izabella Zingaro, and Madison Royal-Davis all notching 10+ rebound performances. Cleveland State is the only team in the Horizon League to have four different players record double-digit rebounding efforts, with all three ranking in the top-20 in the league in rebounding.
 
ZINGARO & MAGASSA EFFICIENT FROM THE FIELD
Through the first three games of the 2025-26 season, Izabella Zingaro and Ayisse Magassa have been two of the most efficient shooters in the Horizon League, Zingaro shooting 70-percent from the floor (14-20) and Magassa posting a .647 clip (11-17). Last time out, Zingaro and Magassa combined to go 12-for-16 from the field against Pitt Johnstown, finishing with 35 total points.
 
LEONARD WITH THE TAKEAWAY
Through the first three games of the year, Jada Leonard has combined for a team-best 13 steals, ranking 12th among Division I players averaging 4.3 steals per game. Leonard, who grabbed seven takeaways in the season opener against Chicago State, followed that up with five steals at Cal State Fullerton. Leonard's 6.0 steals per game average also sits at the top of the Horizon League standings.
 
CLEVELAND STATE ON THE BOARDS
Through three games played this season, Cleveland State is averaging 44.7 rebounds per game, holding a +17.3 rebound advantage on the year. Last time out, the Vikings finished with 46 boards against Pitt Johnstown, including 17 offensive rebounds. The Vikings held a 46-22 edge in rebounds, including a 29-11 advantage in defensive boards.
 
VIKINGS FROM THE FREE THROW LINE
So far this season, the Vikings rank second nationally averaging 21.67 free throws made per game. For the year, Cleveland State has converted 65 free throws, including a 26-for-34 effort against Pitt Johnstown last time out. Individually, Colbi Maples has a team-best 17 free throws made on the year, while Izabella Zingaro has chipped in 14 free throws so far this season.
 
THE NON-LEAGUE SLATE
Cleveland State will be continuing an 11-game non-league slate, which features seven games at home and just four games on the road. The Vikings will face two new opponents during non-league play in Northwestern and Pittsburgh-Johnstown, while Cleveland State will be making a trip to California and returning to Puerto Rico during the first part of the 2025-26 season.
 
CLEVELAND STATE SELECTED FOURTH IN #HLWBB PRESEASON POLL
Last month, Cleveland State was selected to finish fourth in the #HLWBB Preseason Poll, picking up 87 points and one first place vote. This marks the fourth straight year that the Vikings have been picked to finish in the top-four of the Horizon League.
 
MAPLES NAMED #HLWBB PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
In addition to the preseason poll, the Horizon League also announced their preseason all-league teams, with Colbi Maples earning Preseason Player of the Year honors. Maples, who also earned the honor prior to last season, became just the second Viking all-time to earn the recognition more than once. Maples also earned a spot on the Preseason All-League First Team.
 
HEAD COACH CHRIS KIELSMEIER
The Vikings will be under the direction of eighth-year head coach Chris Kielsmeier, who owns a career head coaching record of 571-186. At Cleveland State, Kielsmeier owns a record of 155-70, with his 150th victory as a Viking coming in a 92-61 decision over Detroit Mercy last season. Under his guidance, Cleveland State has posted five 20-win seasons, including a program-record 30 wins during the 2023-24 campaign.
 
CLEVELAND STATE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL RADIO SHOW RETURNS
Fans can stay up-to-date with all things Viking Basketball throughout the 2025-26 season by tuning in to the Cleveland State Women's Basketball Radio Show. The weekly show will air on Monday nights beginning at 6:00 p.m. on 99.1 FM and will feature a variety of coaches, student-athletes and members of the CSU community.
 
UP NEXT
Cleveland State will be back on the road for a single game next week, traveling to Northwestern on Friday, November 21.