Kent State University
Ball State
Golden Flashes Back in Action Against Ball State Wednesday Night
1/28/2020 4:32:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Kent State looks to get back on the winning track against Ball State on Wednesday night at the M.A.C. Center with tip scheduled for 7 p.m. The Cardinals earned a 66-62 home victory in the Mid-American Conference opener for both teams on January 4.
The Golden Flashes (10-7, 3-3 MAC) had a three-game winning streak ended in a 57-44 setback to Buffalo on Saturday. Kent State limited the Bulls to 30 points on 10-of-39 shooting and held a 33-30 lead through three quarters. However, Buffalo connected on more than half of its shots and outscored the Flashes 27-11 over the final 10 minutes to pull away. Kent State shot a season-worst 24.1-percent (14-of-58) from the floor and connected on just two of its final 20 shot attempts. Nila Blackford led the Flashes with eight points and seven rebounds. Asiah Dingle also had eight points but was limited to just 20 minutes prior to fouling out. Lindsey Thall added seven points, seven boards, four assists and two blocked shots.
Five Golden Flashes are scoring in double-figures for the season. Freshman Nila Blackford is posting team-leading averages of 14.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. Sophomore Asiah Dingle (12.6 ppg) leads the Flashes in assists (3.5 apg) and steals (1.9 spg). Redshirt senior Megan Carter (12.3 ppg) has scored in double-digits in each of her past eight contests against Division I opponents. 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 (23) and blocked shots (15). Sophomore Lindsey Thall (10.9 ppg) is second in the MAC in blocked shots (1.8 bpg) and fifth in three-point field goal percentage (.375).
Scouting Ball State
Ball State (13-6, 5-2 MAC) took care of Miami, 80-63, on Saturday to improve to 7-1 in home contests this season. The Cardinals are tied for second in the MAC standings and have won nine of their previous 11 games.
Defense has been key to Ball State's success and leads the conference in both scoring defense (63.4 ppg) and field goal percentage defense (.362). The Cardinals rank second in blocked shots (3.8 per game) with four players who have double-figure rejections. Ball State is eighth nationally in defensive rebounds per game (30.7).
Forward Oshlynn Brown ranks second in the MAC at 9.4 rebounds per game and adds a team-best 13.2 points per game. Brown leads the Cardinals with 10 double-doubles on the season. Forward Thelma Dis Agustdottir (10.3 ppg) has made a team-best 33 three-pointers. Guards Jasmin Samz (10.1 ppg) and Sydney Freeman (9.8 ppg, 3.4 apg) are also key contributors and combined for 30 points against the Flashes earlier this season.
Series History
• Kent State is 37-22 all-time vs. Ball State.
• The Cardinals have won four in a row and are 10-2 over the past 12 meetings.
• The Golden Flashes are 24-5 all-time in matchups inside of the M.A.C. Center.
• Kent State is 2-2 over the past four contests and has not scored more than 60 points in any of those games.
• The Flashes are 0-4 vs. Ball State under fourth-year head coach Todd Starkey.
TV / Radio
Dan Griffin will be on the call on 640 WHLO and the Golden Flashes iHeartRadio channel, while Dave Wilson and Ben Pagani will bring the action on ESPN+.
Next Up for Kent State
The Golden Flashes will travel to Toledo on Saturday for a 2 p.m. contest.
