Kent State University
3-2
Youngstown State
4-1
Kent State Routs YSU to Celebrate Starkey’s 200th Career Victory
11/20/2018 10:33:00 PM | Women's Basketball
KENT, Ohio – Kent State made a statement with a 62-34 victory that knocked Youngstown State from the ranks of the unbeaten and gave third-year head coach Todd Starkey his 200th career win Tuesday at the M.A.C. Center.
The Golden Flashes (3-2) grinded through the fatigue of playing a third game in four days to execute the defensive game plan to near perfection and not allow the Penguins to hit the 30-point mark until less than two minutes remained. Kent State set a program record for fewest points allowed in a quarter by holding YSU to two points on 0-for-17 shooting in the third. Overall, YSU shot 17.2 percent (11-for-64) and had just six made field goals entering the final period.
Merissa Barber-Smith and Lindsey Thall have made their presence known on the inside, as the Flashes blocked seven shots for the second straight game and held a 49-41 rebounding advantage. Barber-Smith rejected a career-high five shots and grabbed 11 rebounds in only 17 minutes of action, while Thall had two swats and a career-high nine boards.
Megan Carter continued her strong start to the season and scored a game-high 20 points. Mariah Modkins shined in her first career start, posting 14 points, three assists and two steals.
Kent State made a season-high 10 three-pointers and connected on better than 40 percent of attempts from long distance (10-for-24). Carter, Modkins and Ali Poole led the way with a pair of makes each.
Starkey has now led the Flashes to three consecutive victories and his 35 wins rank third on the school's all-time wins list. He surpassed Richard Keast (1986-89) this past weekend.
Kent State concludes its four-game homestand on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m.
