Kent State University
Clarion
Women’s Basketball Hosts Clarion for New Year’s Eve Doubleheader
12/30/2018 11:37:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Kent State will celebrate the end of 2018 by hosting Division II Clarion for a 12 p.m. women's basketball game on Monday, Dec. 31. The game is part of a doubleheader with the men's team, which is scheduled to play Division III Oberlin approximately 30 minutes following the conclusion of the women's game. Fans will have the opportunity to watch two games for the price of one, as women's tickets will be honored for general admission seating at the men's game.
The Golden Flashes (6-4) are in the midst of their second three-game winning streak of the season. In its most recent outing, Kent State topped NJIT, 57-40, to secure a winning non-conference record for the second year in a row. The Flashes turned up the defensive pressure to force 33 turnovers and hold the Highlanders to just 13-for-46 (28.3 percent) shooting. The starting backcourt of Megan Carter (19) and Asiah Dingle (15) combined for 34 points. The Flashes held a 47-40 rebounding advantage, which included a season-high 23 on the offensive end. Merissa Barber-Smith led team with nine rebounds and Ali Poole matched her career-high with eight boards.
Guard Megan Carter (15.7 ppg) scored at least 14 points in all but two games this season and is second on the team in rebounding (5.0 rpg) and assists (2.5 apg). Freshman Asiah Dingle (12.4 ppg) has provided a scoring threat at the point guard position. Forward Lindsey Thall (9.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg) leads Kent State with 16 three-pointers to go with 13 blocks. Center Merissa Barber-Smith is the team's top rebounder at 7.2 per game and has registered a team-high 15 blocked shots. Guard Alexa Golden (5.6 ppg) has a team-high 19 steals.
Scouting Clarion
Clarion (7-5) started the season 3-0 but enters having lost two straight. The Golden Eagles are a strong defensive team, allowing only 56.4 points per game and forcing 21.4 turnovers per game. Offensively, Clarion makes just four three-pointers per game and shoots 26.1-percent from long range.
Guard Kadijah Dickson (16.3 ppg) is Clarion's leading scorer for the third straight year and has posted four 20-point games this season. Dickson pulls down 8.6 rebounds per game, which is third in the PSAC. Guards Jordan Bekelja and Yasmin Lewis each contribute 9.5 points per game. Lewis adds 7.1 rebounds per game. Guard Yndiah Bobo (7.4 ppg) leads the team with 4.8 assists and 2.1 steals per game. Guard Taylor Moltz (7.1 ppg) has made a team-high 21 three-point field goals.
Series History
• Kent State is 2-0 all-time vs. Clarion.
• The Golden Flashes earned a 70-59 victory in the first meeting on Feb. 12, 1979 in Kent.
• Theresa Nixon (15), Bonnie Beachy (14) and Tonya Corbett (13) all scored in double-figures, while Margie Zezulewicz grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Flashes.
• Kent State went on the road for a 77-51 win the following season (Feb. 6, 1980).
TV / Radio
Jacob Pavilack will be on the call on the Golden Flashes iHeartRadio channel, while Dave Wilson and Tanner Castora bring the action on ESPN+.
Next Up for Kent State
The Golden Flashes will begin Mid-American Conference play against Eastern Michigan and Northern Illinois for the second year in a row, this time at the M.A.C. Center. The Eagles visit on Saturday, Jan. 5 and the Huskies come to Kent on Wednesday, Jan. 9.
