Kent State Women's Basketball Goes For Fourth Straight Win At Northern Illinois
1/26/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Golden Flashes shoot for second straight road victory.
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The Kent State women’s basketball team looks to make it four wins in a row, visiting DeKalb, Ill., to battle Northern Illinois Saturday (Jan. 28) in its second Mid-American Conference interdivision game in three days. Tip time is set for 3:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. CT).
The Golden Flashes (5-12, 4-3 MAC) are looking to win their second road game in a row after picking up their first of the 2011-12 season Wednesday (Jan. 25) at Western Michigan -- a 67-61 triumph.
Saturday's game against the Huskies will feature live stats and free live web video. The provided links will activate at the start of Saturday's game.
Saturday's contest will be aired live on both ESPN Radio 990 AM and KentStateSports.com, with Dave Wilson providing play-by-play commentary for a second straight season. Click the link above to listen live on your computer.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
NORTHERN ILLINOIS HUSKIES (8-11 overall, 2-5 MAC)
All-time series: Kent State leads, 18-9
Kent State Head Coach Bob Lindsay vs. Northern Illinois: 14-3
Current Streak: W4
• The Golden Flashes and Huskies battle for the 28th time. The Golden Flashes have won 14 of the last 17 meetings but are 6-6 all-time in games played in DeKalb. Kent State’s last visit to Northern Illinois produced an 80-71 victory for the Golden Flashes on Jan. 30, 2010.
• The last meeting between Kent State and Northern Illinois took overtime to decide, but the Flashes prevailed, 56-54, on Jan. 26, 2011, at the M.A.C. Center. Taisja Jones poured in 36 points to lead all scorers. Jones shot 10-of-20 from the field and 13-of-16 from the free throw line in the contest, and added team-highs of six rebounds and six steals
• Kathi Bennett is in her second campaign on the Northern Illinois sideline. She guided UW-Oshkosh to an NCAA Division III national title in 2006.
• Northern Illinois has won two of its last three games -- including a 72-66 triumph at Akron last Wednesday (Jan. 25). Freshman forward Claire Jakubicek led the way for the Huskies with 18 points and six rebounds as Northern Illinois won at Rhoades Arena for the first time since 2006. Jakubicek is the top offensive threat for the Huskies, averaging 10.2 points per game in her rookie campaign.
IN THE AIR TONIGHT
A Kent State victory Saturday over Northern Illinois would:
• Improve Kent State to 306-197 all-time in MAC play. The Golden Flashes have won at least 10 conference games 18 times in 30 seasons of MAC action -- all of which have come during 23rd-year head coach Bob Lindsay’s tenure.
• Improve Kent State’s all-time record in the month of January to 192-120. Kent State went 6-3 in the first month of the calendar year in 2010-11. The Flashes have posted winning records in January 26 times in 36 seasons -- including 20 times in the last 22 seasons under Lindsay. Kent State can clinch its 27th winning mark in January with a victory over the Huskies.
• Improve Kent State’s all-time record in games played on Jan. 29 to 8-1. The Golden Flashes beat the Huskies, 69-60, in 1983 at the M.A.C. Center in Kent State’s first contest played on the 29th day of the calendar year. Kent State has won six straight on Jan. 29.
FLASH BACK: JAN. 25 AT WESTERN MICHIGAN
In a Mid-American Conference interdivision matchup that featured 27 lead changes and nine ties, the Kent State held the advantage when it mattered most -- at the end.
Kent State picked up its first road victory of the 2011-12 season and ran its winning streak to three straight with a gritty 67-61 triumph over Western Michigan Wednesday (Jan. 25) at University Arena.
The Golden Flashes have won four of their last six games and have won four straight over the Broncos. With Akron's 72-66 loss to Northern Illinois, Kent State moves into sole possession of third place in the MAC East.
Kent State improved its shooting percentage from just 37.0% in the first half to 63.6% in the second to outlast Western Michigan. The Golden Flashes committed 21 turnovers that led to 21 points for the Broncos, but won the rebounding battle, 41-31, to help secure the win.
Three Flashes reached double figures in scoring to lead to the win. Junior guard Tamzin Barroilhet (Sainte Maxime, France) totaled a career-high 22 points to lead all scorers. She reached double digits for the fourth time in the last six games and third time in the last four. Junior forward Diamon Beckford (Upper Darby, Pa.) totaled 19 and was a perfect seven-for-seven from the free throw line, added seven rebounds and dished out four steals. She has reached double figures in scoring eight times this season – including in six of Kent State's last eight games and in each of the last four. Freshman guard Itziar Llobet (Sant Cugat de Valles, Spain) piled up 14 points, pulled in seven rebounds and passed out four assists., She reached double digits in scoring for the seventh time this season. Freshman guard Jamie Hutcheson (Ancaster, Ontario) scored eight points and matched junior guard Trisha Krewson (Sandusky, Ohio) by hauling in a career-high eight rebounds.
CLOSING IN ON 600 WINS
Kent State is just one win away from tallying 600 all-time victories. The Golden Flashes are aiming to join Bowling Green (685) and Toledo (621) as the only MAC schools with at least 600 wins.
FLASH FORWARD
Kent State returns to the M.A.C. Center for a two-game homestand against MAC West foes, hosting Ball State in the first contest Wednesday (Feb. 1) at 7 p.m. All fans in attendance will receive Kent State crazy hair and will once again have the opportunity to participate in the always intense Basketball Bingo during the game. Tickets start at just $5. For more information contact the Kent State Athletics Ticket Office at (330) 672-2244.
