Kent State University
Georgia State University
Kent State Eyes Third Straight at Home on Sunday
12/7/2013 11:46:00 AM | Women's Basketball
AUDIO
VIDEO
LIVE STATS
THE GAME
Kent State (3-5) looks to keep their current hot streak alive as they continue their December homestand by hosting Georgia State (3-6) on Sunday (Dec. 8) afternoon at noon.
The Golden Flashes have won two in a row for the first time since January of the 2011-12 season. With three wins already in their keeping, they have already matched last year's win total. Their most recent victory, a 69-46 domination of Niagara, was the team's largest win-margin since December 1, 2010.
In that game, Kent State's post play took over and the team's senior guards had their leadership on display. Ashley Evans led the team with 15 points, her highest scoring output this season and one points shy of her career high. Montia Johnson posted her fourth double-double of the year with 11 points and ten rebounds. CiCi Shannon owned the boards with a team and career best 11 rebounds. In 13 minutes on the court, Cheylene Harper reached her highest scoring total as a Golden Flash, finishing with ten points. Amber Dunlap also had ten points with four assists. The team grabbed a season-high 46 rebounds and committed a season-low nine turnovers in the contest.
The Golden Flashes currently rank fifth in the Mid-American Conference in free throw percentage. Defensively, they are second in the conference in blocked shots and are fifth in steals. CiCi Shannon is the conference leader in blocks per game with 2.4 and also ranks tied for 14th nationally in the same category. Mikell Chinn is leading the MAC with a 94% free throw percentage.
Last year Kent State played in Georgia State's Thanksgiving tournament, but the two programs have yet to meet on the court, as Kent State did not play the host.
The Panthers have won three of their last four games, with victories against Belmont, Jacksonville State and Kennesaw State. Kendra Long leads the team averaging 14.8 points per game. Brittany Logan is averaging 6.8 rebounds per game. Three players have already registered 20 steals this season for Georgia State.
LIVE STATS
Live stats will be available at sidearmstats.com/kent/wbball.
TV / RADIO
Dave Wilson will have the call on Golden Flashes Radio on iHeart Radio and 640AM WHLO. A live video stream will be available courtesy of the Mid-American Conference at mac-sports.com
UP NEXT
Kent State will resume their homestand after a break for finals week on Tuesday, December 17. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00pm..
IN A FLASH
• The Golden Flashes secured two wins faster this season than in the last two years.
• Last year, their second win came on January 2; their first came on December 6.
• They also have won back-to-back games for the first time since January of the 2011-2012 season.
• Kent State's 23-point win over Niagara was the team's largest win margin since December 1, 2010.
NATIONAL RANKS
• Besides being the Mid-American Conference leader in blocked shots, CiCi Shannon is tied ranked 14th in NCAA Division I basketball in the same category.
• She is averaging 2.8 per game.
FRESHMAN PHENOM
• Larissa Lurken continues to lead the team with 10.1 points per game.
• The true freshman has started all eight of Kent State's games this season.
• She also has nine assists, three blocks and eight steals.
• Lurken has also begun to establish herself as the premier free-throw shooter, as she has made 31 of her 37 attempts so far this season.
STEPPING UP
• Mikell Chinn has stepped up Kent State's defensive pressure as a starter the past six games.
• She currently leads the team with 20 assists and 16 steals.
• Chinn has also found success at the line, sinking 19 of her 20 free-throws, which leads the MAC with a 95%.
