Flashes Look for Second Straight Home Win
2/8/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The Kent State University women's basketball team (6-14, 3-5 MAC) looks to return to its winning ways at home this Saturday (Feb. 9), hosting Central Michigan University (4-17,0-8 MAC) at 7 p.m. in the M.A.C. Center.
• The Golden Flashes look to earn back-to-back home victories for the first time this season, after going 115-18 in its previous 15 seasons in Kent. With four games remaining on the 2007-08 home slate, KSU has an opportunity to finish the year with another winning record in Kent.
• In its last home game, KSU shot a season-high 55 percent from the field in an 87-61 victory over Toledo (Jan. 30). The Flashes' 87 points, were their most scored since Feb. 17, 2007 vs. Akron.
• Ellie Shields and Asheley Harkins combined for 52 points against the Rockets as four Golden Flashes hit double figures to help Bob Lindsay earn career victory number 350.
• Rachel Bennett, Chenel Harris Anna Kowalska, Ellie Shields and Asheley Harkins are all averaging double figures in conference play. Harris recently scored a career-high 18 points, all in the second half at Eastern Michigan on Saturday (Feb. 2).
• The Chippewas remain in search of their first road victory and first MAC victory of the year. In its last road game, CMU dropped a tight 70-69 contest at Akron. Central Michigan suffered its second straight nail-biting defeat Saturday, when Miami overcame a nine-point second-half deficit to knock off the Chippewas 76-74.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Radio & Live Stats:
WHLO AM-640 (Tom Linder, play-by-play). Online radio simulcast available on the Kent State website at www.kentstatesports.com. Live stats will be available on the Kent State web site at www.kentstatesports.com.
SIX STRAIGHT SCORING HIGHS
SHARP SHOOTING AT HOME
BENNETT'S LONG-RANGE ACCURACY In her last six games, sophomore Rachel Bennett has connected on 12-of-21 three-point field goal attempts, upping her accuarcay to .420 on the season from behind the arc. Over her last 13 games, Bennett is shooting an impressive 50 percent (18-of-36) from three-point range. SERIES HISTORY Kent State leads the all-time series with Central Michigan 28-19 and holds a 17-7 advantage over the Chippewas at the M.A.C. Center. The Golden Flashes have won 15 straight meetings in Kent. The Chippewas hold a 12-11 edge in Mount Pleasant, but the Flashes pulled off a road victory last season in Michigan. The two teams have never met at a neutral site and have not met twice in the same season since 1999. Head Coach Bob Lindsay, is 24-6 in his career against the Chippewas. Lindsay and Sue Guevara have not faced each other as head coaches, but Guevara was an assistant at Auburn, when the Flashes defeated the Tigers 68-64 in overtime two seasons ago at the M.A.C. Center (Nov. 22, 2005). The first varsity meeting between the scools took place in Mount Pleasant in 1980, resulting in an 81-62 Kent State victory. The Golden Flashes won eight consecutive games in the series from 1997 to 2002 and nine straight from 1993 to 1997. Central Michigan dominated the series in the 1980s, winning 14-of-15 games beginnng in 1983. SCOUTING CENTRAL MICHIGAN The Chippewas returned three starters and eight letterwinners from a team that finished 11-19 last season and 3-13 in the Mid-American Conference. Sue Guevara is in her first season at Central Michigan and her eighth overall as a head coach. In seven seasons at Michigan, Guevara guided the Wolverines to a 123-82 record. Junior guard Latisha Luckett ranks 75th in the nation with 2.4 steals per game. A strong all-around player, Luckett is averaging 8.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. She is also shooting .811 from the free throw line. Sophomore forward Britni Houghton is also a solid all-around player, leading the team in scoring (11.8) and ranking second in rebounds (5.6 rpg) and steals (1.8 spg). She is averaging over 14 points per game in MAC play. Senior guard Stacey Verhoff is the top threat from three-point range shooting .460 (29-of-63) from behind the arc. As a team, CMU ranks third in the league in steals and sixth in free throw shooting. The Chippewas have been troubled defensively this season, allowing 73.3 points per contest. Most recently, Central Michigan suffered a 76-74 home loss to Miami Feb. 2 in Mount Pleasant. Houghton went 10-for-13 from the field to lead four Chippewas in double figures with a game-high 25 points. She also reeled in a game-high nine rebounds, helping CMU dominate the battle of the boards 41-21. Senior guard Candace Wilson went 4-of-7 from three point range and finished with 16 points. The RedHawks took eight more free throw attempts, which made the difference on the scoreboard and committed seven less turnovers. Central Michigan makes use of its bench, with 10 players averaging 9.7 or more minutes per game. The Chippewas were 4-7 to start the season, but have dropped 10 straight.
