Purdue Fort Wayne And Cleveland State Set For Saturday Rematch

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - The Purdue Fort Wayne and Cleveland State women's basketball teams will meet for the second time in three days on Saturday (Jan. 22) when the Vikings visit the Gates Sports Center.

Game Day Information
Who: Cleveland State Vikings
When: Saturday, January 22 | 2 PM
Where: Fort Wayne, Ind. | Gates Sports Center
Live Stats: Link
Watch: ESPN+
Tickets: Link
Game Notes: Purdue Fort Wayne | Cleveland State | Horizon League

Know Your Foe
Cleveland State is 11-3, 6-2 in Horizon League play. The 'Dons and Vikings met just two days ago in Cleveland. Destiny Leo is the Horizon League's leading scorer, recording 20.5 points per game for the Vikings. Nadia Dumas is also averaging over 11 points per game.

The Series
Cleveland State owns a 10-1 advantage in the 11-game series history, including four wins in the 2020-21 season and one this season. The Mastodons' last and only win in the series came in 2004, when Amy Gearlds scored 25 to lead the 'Dons to an 82-81 win over the Vikings.

A Win Would...
• Give the Mastodons' their second win all-time vs. Cleveland State
• Move the Mastodons to 1-5 against Cleveland State as Horizon League foes
• Be the Mastodons' fifth League win, their most since 2013-14
• Tie the most wins against Division I competition in a season since 2015-16
• Give the Mastodons their first home win over Cleveland State
• Snap a two-game losing skid

Much Improved
Purdue Fort Wayne has four league wins for the first time since 2013-14, when the 'Dons amassed eight Summit League wins.

Home Sweet Home
Here's some fun stats in the Mastodons' five games in the Gates Sports Center:
• Team - 44.2 FG% and 37.0 3FG%
• Sylare Starks - 12.2 PPG, 43.6 FG%
• Shayla Sellers - 11.8 PPG, 42.2 FG%, 39.4 3FG%, 6.0 RPG
• Riley Ott - 10.8 PPG, 57.7 FG%, 63.6 3FG%
• Audra Emmerson - 5.8 PPG, 41.2 3FG%
• Jazzlyn Linbo - 5.0 PPG, 84.6 FG%, 4.6 RPG

Streaks & Stats
The number of consecutive games that the Mastodons have...
• Made at least one 3-pointer: 33 games
• Made at least one free throw: 43 games
• Had at least five offensive rebounds: 49 games
• Riley Ott scored at least two points: 67 games

In The Wins...
The Mastodons are averaging 77.7 points per game in their wins with a 46.9 percent shooting clip. In their losses, the 'Dons are at 54.5 points and 36.7 percent shooting. They are also shooting 43.2 percent from beyond the arc in wins compared to 31.1 percent in losses.

Smooth Jazz(lyn)
Since joining the starting lineup on December 20, Jazzlyn Linbo has been a key contributor to the Mastodon squad. She is shooting 52.8 percent (19-of-36) from the floor with 5.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. In addition, Linbo is shooting 84.6 percent in the Gates Sports Center this season.

Smoother than WD-40
The Mastodons have shot over 40 percent from 3-point range in three games this season, up from just one last season. The 'Dons shot over 40 percent from deep against Manchester (52.2), Indiana State (40.7) and at Cleveland State (40.9).

Pretty Good From the Line
Purdue Fort Wayne is third in the Horizon League and 34th in the country in free throw percentage. The 'Dons are making 76.6 percent from the line, which ranks in the top five in program history for a season mark. Purdue Fort Wayne has six players shooting over 80 percent from the line, with four players averaging 83.3 percent.

Shayla Through The Seasons
Shayla Sellers has been on a steady trajectory of improvement through her three seasons at Purdue Fort Wayne. Here's how her per game stats have jumped:
• Points: 4.3 -> 7.9 -> 10.5
• Field Goal Percentage: 32.4 -> 34.0 -> 44.8
• 3-Point Field Goal Percentage: 27.5 -> 31.0 -> 41.1
• Rebounds: 2.9 -> 2.9 -> 4.9
• Assists: 0.6 -> 1.4 -> 2.4
• Field Goals: 1.6 -> 2.8 -> 3.7
• 3-Point Field Goals: 0.7 -> 1.2 -> 2.0

Live By The Three
The Mastodons have made more 3-pointers in 12 of their 15 games played. The 'Dons are making 8.4 triples per game while holding their opponents to just 6.2.

Last Time Out
Cleveland State took the last matchup against the Mastodons, taking an 85-59 win on its home floor. Sylare Starks scored a game-high 20 points for Purdue Fort Wayne on 8-of-16 shooting.

Coming Up
Purdue Fort Wayne's next week will feature a pair of road games: a Thursday game at IUPUI and a Saturday tilt at UIC. The 'Dons return home on February 3 with Northern Kentucky.

~ Feel the Rumble ~

Purdue Fort Wayne And Cleveland State Set For Saturday Rematch

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Players Mentioned

Audra Emmerson

Jazzlyn Linbo

Riley Ott

Shayla Sellers

Sylare Starks

Purdue University Fort Wayne Athletics