Kent State University
Hiram
Flashes to Host Hiram Monday Afternoon
12/28/2019 2:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Kent State women's basketball team will host Hiram in the final non-conference game of the season on Monday, December 30. Tip-off from the M.A.C. Center is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
The Golden Flashes (6-4) went 1-1 at the Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic, defeating Georgia Southern (62-49) and then letting a lead slip away in the final minute against Troy (64-71). Kent State led for nearly 34 minutes in the latter game, but a 9-0 run over the final 50.4 seconds allowed the Trojans to come out on top. The Flashes entered the two-game tournament allowing 74.2 points per contest but held its two opponents from the Sun Belt Conference to only 59.5 points per game. Georgia Southern had its lowest-scoring game of the season, while Troy had its second-lowest scoring game. The national leader in offensive rebounds, the Trojans were held to six fewer than in any other game this season.
Megan Carter scored a season-high 24 points against Troy and led Kent State with 18.5 points per game and seven three-pointers over the two games. Katie Shumate averaged 13 points and eight rebounds in Las Vegas and recorded her first collegiate double-double (18 points, 10 rebounds) against Troy. Asiah Dingle led the Flashes with 4.5 assists and 3.5 steals per game while averaging 11 points.
All five starters are scoring in double-figures for the season. Redshirt senior Megan Carter leads the way at 13.7 points per game. Freshman Nila Blackford is right behind at 13.4 points per game while grabbing a team-best 7.7 rebounds per game. Sophomore Lindsey Thall (12.4 ppg) is third in the MAC in blocked shots (1.4 bpg) and fourth in three-point field goals (2.7 per game). Sophomore Asiah Dingle leads the Flashes in assists (3.6 apg) and steals (2.0 spg). Freshman Katie Shumate (11.5 ppg) has displayed a versatile skill set and ranks in the top-two on the team in rebounding (6.4 rpg), steals (19) and blocked shots (12).
Scouting Hiram
Hiram (3-8, 0-2 NCAC) last played on Dec. 18, a 62-48 setback at Westminster (Pa.). Picked seventh in the nine-member North Coast Athletic Conference, the Terriers own wins against Waynesburg, Thiel and Defiance.
Guard Tashauna Wright ranks 35th among NCAA Division III players with an average of 19.5 points per contest. The All-NCAC First Team performer has gone for at least 20 points six times this season. Although listed at just 5'-2" tall, Wright grabs a team-leading 6.5 rebounds per game has made the 20-most free throws (52) in Division III. Guard Alainna Conroy (14.2 ppg) scored a career-best 35 in the Terriers' win at Waynesburg as part of a terrific start to the season, but has averaged just over seven points over four games during the month of December. Guard Madison Branch (12.6 ppg) leads the NCAC in steals (3.2 spg) and averages a team-leading 4.6 assists per game.
Series History
• This is the first time the Kent State will play Hiram in a regular season game.
• The Golden Flashes defeated the Terriers, 73-45, in an exhibition contest on Nov. 8, 2015.
• Larissa Lurken led all scorers with 24 points while Tyra James finished with 13 and six rebounds. Merissa Barber-Smith was a point shy of a double-double, scoring nine and grabbing 10 rebounds.
TV / Radio
Dan Griffin will be on the call on 640 WHLO and the Golden Flashes iHeartRadio channel, while Dave Wilson will bring the action on ESPN3.
Next Up for Kent State
The Golden Flashes will begin Mid-American Conference play at Ball State on Saturday, January 4.
