Preview: Central Michigan at Akron Women’s Basketball

AKRON, Ohio (Interstat) — A surging Central Michigan women’s basketball team visits a struggling Akron squad in a Mid-American Conference matchup Wednesday night at James A. Rhodes Arena.

The Chippewas (10-6, 4-1 MAC) enter on a three-game winning streak following a 77-64 victory over Eastern Michigan on Saturday. Guard Madi Morson has been the catalyst, averaging 22.8 points over her last five games. She scored 24 points in 34 minutes against Eastern Michigan.

Central Michigan’s conference losses are by a combined four points, including an overtime defeat to Ohio on Dec. 31.

The Zips (3-15, 0-5) seek their first MAC win amid a seven-game losing streak. Their last victory was a non-conference rout of Geneva on Dec. 16. Akron fell 91-79 at Kent State on Saturday despite 22 points from guard Ni’Rah Clark. Clark has shown scoring ability, posting 22 and 25 points in her last two outings, but the Zips have struggled defensively, allowing an average of 84.2 points in conference play.

The matchup features two of the league’s top individual scorers in Morson and Clark, but their teams are on opposite trajectories. Central Michigan has found a rhythm with balanced contributions, including Ayanna-Sarai Darrington and Lilah Turnbull, who combined for 26 points against Eastern Michigan.

Akron will need more production beyond Clark, as only Shaena Brew (13 points) joined her in double figures against Kent State. The Zips have been outscored by an average of 22.4 points in MAC games.

This is the first of two regular-season meetings between the teams. They will play again in Mount Pleasant, Michigan, on Feb. 11.

For Central Michigan, the game begins a stretch of three road contests in four games. Akron continues a difficult start to its conference schedule before a non-conference tilt with Louisiana-Lafayette on Feb. 7.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST Wednesday.