Kent State University
Akron
Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge Matchup Starts Final Week of Regular Season
3/5/2019 4:55:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Kent State will make the short trip to Akron on Wednesday evening for a Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge matchup and seek to capture a season sweep of the rival Zips. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. inside of James A. Rhodes Arena.
The Golden Flashes (16-11, 9-7 MAC) are coming off their second-lowest scoring performance of the season. Kent State held host Bowling Green more than seven points below its scoring average but shot just under 27-percent from the field in the 62-49 setback. The ability to knock down open shots was the difference, as the Falcons outscored the Flashes, 42-25, on three-pointers and free throws. Asiah Dingle led Kent State with 10 points, while Alexa Golden added eight points and nine rebounds. Merissa Barber-Smith recorded her third game in a row in double-figure rebounds with a game-high 12 boards.
Guard Megan Carter (16.1 ppg) has scored at least 12 points in all but four games this season. Freshman Asiah Dingle (12.6 ppg) has provided a scoring threat at the point guard position. Forward Lindsey Thall (10.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg) leads Kent State with 53 three-pointers and her 41 blocked shots rank second in the MAC. Center Merissa Barber-Smith is the team's top rebounder at 6.9 per game and has 26 blocked shots. Guard Alexa Golden (7.9 ppg) leads the team in steals (2.8 spg) and is second in rebounding (5.6 rpg) and three-point field goal percentage (.357).
Scouting Akron
Akron (16-11, 7-9 MAC) fell to Ohio, 81-71, on Saturday. The Zips had won their two previous games, which included a double-digit victory against Buffalo. Offensively, Akron averages 67.5 points per game, which ranks seventh in the conference. Three-point field goals (8.4/game) account for 38.1-percent of the Zips' points which is the second-highest in the MAC.
Guard Megan Sefcik is the sixth-leading scorer in the MAC at 17.0 points per game. The sharpshooter has scored 20 or more points in 11 games and her 85 three-pointers rank 23rd in the country. Guard Shaunay Edmonds (11.9 ppg) has increased her scoring in recent weeks and totaled a career-high 33 points last Wednesday at Bowling Green. Forwards Haliegh Reinoehl (9.9 ppg, 7.8 rpg) and Caitlin Vari (8.9 ppg, 7.0 rpg) are both among the top-10 rebounds in the conference. Guard Shayna Harmon (7.0 ppg) averages a team-high 3.9 assists per game.
Series History
• Kent State is 52-16 all-time vs. Akron.
• The schools split the season series a year ago for the first time since 2012.
• The Golden Flashes own a 23-11 record in games played at Akron.
• However, the Zips have won six of the past seven meetings at the James A. Rhodes Arena.
• The Flashes' 18-game winning streak from Jan. 8, 2000 through Feb, 23, 2008 is the longest for either school.
• Kent State is 4-1 vs. Akron under third-year head coach Todd Starkey.
TV / Radio
Dave Wilson and Henry Palatella will be on the call on 640 WHLO and the Golden Flashes iHeartRadio channel, while Michael Reghi and Jacki Windon bring the action on ESPN+.
Next Up for Kent State
The Golden Flashes will host Buffalo on Saturday, March 9 for the final regular season home game. Seniors Merissa Barber-Smith and Alexa Golden will be honored prior to tip-off.
