Mastodons and Titans Set For Saturday Tilt

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - The Purdue Fort Wayne women's basketball team is set to continue its homestand on Saturday (Jan. 8) against the Detroit Mercy Titans in the Gates Sports Center.

Game Day Information
Who: Detroit Mercy Titans
When: Saturday, January 8 | 2 PM
Where: Fort Wayne, Ind. | Gates Sports Center
Live Stats: Link
Watch: ESPN+
Game Notes: Purdue Fort Wayne | Detroit Mercy | Horizon League

Know Your Foe
Detroit Mercy is seeking its first win of the season, as the Titans are 0-13, 0-6 in the Horizon League. While the Titans have not won a game yet, they have played several close games in Horizon League play, including a four-point overtime game against UIC, an eight-point game vs. Youngstown State, and a nine-point game against Robert Morris. Sydney Searcy is leading the Titans with 11.0 points per game.

The Series
Detroit Mercy leads the series 9-2 and has won the last two. The two teams have not yet met as Horizon League foes due to COVID-19. The Mastodons' last win came in 2013, an 84-73 win that saw three 'Dons score 20+.

A Win Would...
• Give the Mastodons' their third win all-time against Detroit Mercy, first since 2013
• Move the Mastodons to 1-0 against Detroit Mercy as Horizon League foes
• Be the Mastodons' fourth League win, their most since 2013-14
• Tie the most wins against Division I competition in a season since 2015-16
• Snap a seven-game losing skid
• Move the Mastodons to 4-3 at home this season

Home Sweet Home
Here's some fun stats in the Mastodons' four games in the Gates Sports Center:
• Team - 44.3 FG% and 37.5 3FG%
• Shayla Sellers - 13.0 PPG, 42.1 FG%, 42.9 3FG%, 7.0 RPG
• Riley Ott - 11.8 PPG, 60.9 FG%, 66.7 3FG%
• Ryin Ott - 10.3 PPG, 41.7 3FG%, 5.7 RPG
• Sylare Starks - 12.5 PPG, 44.4 FG%
• Jazzlyn Linbo - 4.8 PPG, 90.0 FG%, 4.3 RPG

Streaks & Stats
The number of consecutive games that the Mastodons have...
• Made at least one 3-pointer: 30 games
• Made at least one free throw: 40 games
• Had at least five offensive rebounds: 46 games
• Riley Ott scored at least two points: 64 games

Smooth Jazz(lyn)
Since joining the starting lineup on December 12, Jazzlyn Linbo has been a key contributor to the Mastodon squad. She is shooting 57.9 percent (11-of-19) from the floor and grabbing 4.6 rebounds. This season, Linbo is shooting 90.0 percent from the floor in the Gates Sports Center.

Perfect From The Floor
In Purdue Fort Wayne's game against Oakland on January 6, Jazzlyn Linbo was a perfect 5-for-5 from the floor, scoring a season-high 10 points. She also grabbed seven rebounds in that contest.

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 -> 9.3
• Field Goal Percentage: 32.4 -> 34.0 -> 41.3
• 3-Point Field Goal Percentage: 27.5 -> 31.0 -> 36.4
• Rebounds: 2.9 -> 2.9 -> 5.2
• Assists: 0.6 -> 1.4 -> 2.1
• Field Goals: 1.6 -> 2.8 -> 3.2
• 3-Point Field Goals: 0.7 -> 1.2 -> 1.6

They Almost Never Missed!
Purdue Fort Wayne had a 75.0 percent field goal percentage (18-of 24) in the Mastodons' Horizon League game against Oakland on January 6. This set the program's Division I era (2001-present) for shooting percentage in a half. The previous best was a 72.7 percent effort against Eastern Illinois in 2017.

Live By The Three
The Mastodons have made more 3-pointers in nine of their 12 games played. The 'Dons are making 8.1 triples per game while holding their opponents to just 6.4.

Sister Connection
Since her sister Ryin has joined the team, Riley Ott's per game stats have taken a jump. Here's how she compares without Ryin (2019-21) to with Ryin (2021-22):
• Points: 10.4 -> 10.9
• Rebounds: 2.5 -> 3.5
• Assists: 2.1 -> 2.2
• Blocks: 0.04 -> 0.2
• FG%: 34.4 -> 36.2
• 3FG%: 28.5 -> 43.9
• FT%: 74.8 -> 82.9

Pretty Good From the Line
Purdue Fort Wayne is third in the Horizon League and 25th in the country in free throw percentage. The 'Dons are making 77.0 percent from the line, which ranks in the top five in program history for a season mark. Purdue Fort Wayne has five players shooting over 80 percent from the line, led by Aubrey Stupp, who is averaging 85.7 percent on 28 attempts, and Shianne Johnson who is 2-for-2.

Rileeeeeeey For Threeeeeeeeeee!
Riley Ott is shooting 43.9 percent from 3-point range this season (18-of-41). With a minimum of 30 makes, the program's best season average in the Division I era is 44.9 percent, coming from former sharpshooter and former assistant coach Haley Seibert (2013-14). Ott's 43.9 percent mark would rank fourth all-time, second-best in the Division I era.

Sharp-Shooting 'Dons
Purdue Fort Wayne has six Mastodons shooting over 30 percent from 3-point range with at least two attempts: Shianne Johnson, Riley Ott, Ryin Ott, Shayla Sellers, Sylare Starks and Valerie Clark. Last year, the Mastodons had no one shoot over 31 percent. As a team, the 'Dons are shooting 32.6 percent, up from 25.0 percent a year ago.

I Know Them!
Six Mastodons have played in all 12 games this season: Riley Ott, Shayla Sellers, Aubrey Stupp, Amellia Bromenschenkel, Jazzlyn Linbo and Audra Emmerson.

Shayla The Starter
Shayla Sellers has started in all but one game since arriving at Purdue Fort Wayne in 2019, including all of her games as a freshman and sophomore. The junior has 63 starts in her career.

Last Time Out
The Mastodons are coming off a 63-60 loss to Oakland that saw the 'Dons shoot 75 percent in the first half, which marked a Division I era record for FG% in a half.

Coming Up
The Mastodons will hit the road for a three-game stretch away from home: Milwaukee (Jan. 14), Green Bay (Jan. 16) and Cleveland State (Jan. 20).

~ Feel the Rumble ~

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Players Mentioned

Amellia Bromenschenkel

Valerie Clark

Audra Emmerson

Shianne Johnson

Jazzlyn Linbo

Riley Ott

Ryin Ott

Shayla Sellers

Sylare Starks

Aubrey Stupp

Purdue University Fort Wayne Athletics