Still a Lot to be Proud of...
3/17/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
While the MAC Tournament quarterfinals was not the finish to the 2008-09 season Kent State was looking for, it was also not indicative of the Golden Flashes' performance throughout the season. A number of team and individual accomplishments will still make the 2008-09 season, a very memorable year.
KSU had the seventh highest increase in wins (10) in the nation, going from 9 to 19.
After a fifth place finish in the MAC East in 2007-08, the Golden Flashes claimed sole possession of second place in the East this season.
Kent State's 11-1 start in non-conference play was its best in school history. The Flashes RPI rating was as high as 62.
Eleven different opponents that defeated the Golden Flashes last year lost to Kent State during the 2008-09 season: Western Michigan, Northern Illinois, Eastern Michigan, Robert Morris, Vermont, New Mexico State, Miami, Ohio, Maryland Eastern Shore, Buffalo, UNC-Wilmington.
KSU ranked second in the nation in three-point field goal percentage (.398). Two of the Flashes best three performances in school history from behind the arc, came this season going 10-of-16 at Wichita State and 11-of-17 against Eastern Michigan.
Anna Kowalska was named to the All-MAC First Team after finishing in the top five in the conference in scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage and blocked shots. She earned three MAC East Player of the Week awards, was named MAC Female Scholar Athlete of the Week and earned a spot on the All-Husky Classic Team.
Kowalska finished with 51 blocked shots on the season. Only three other Kent State players have had more.
Jamilah Humes was named to the All-MAC Honorable Mention Team and led the conference in steals.
Jena Stutzman's 68 three-pointers were the second most in school history, just three behind Melissa DeGrate's 71 during the 2004-05 season.
Bob Lindsay surpassed 370 wins as head coach at Kent State and 230 conference wins.
The Flashes revived their winning tradition, by recording 19 or more wins for the 11th time in the last 14 seasons. KSU also carried on its winning tradition at home by going 11-1 at the M.A.C. Center this season.
