Kent State University
Akron
Kent State Back in Action Wednesday for Rivalry Matchup at M.A.C. Center
2/25/2020 3:03:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Kent State will look for the season sweep and full point in the Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge on Wednesday, February 26 as the women's basketball team hosts rival Akron at 7 p.m.
The Golden Flashes (15-10, 8-6 MAC) trailed for only 27 seconds on Saturday but needed a 6-0 run in the final minute to hold off Miami for an 80-75 Senior Day victory. Despite a 13-point lead with 1:19 left in the third quarter, Kent State allowed the RedHawks to stay in the game by going just 3-of-11 at the foul line over the next 10 minutes of game time. After Miami took its only lead of the day, 75-74, with 1:15 to play, Lindsey Thall stepped up and sank a pair of free throws to go ahead for good. The Flashes were able to put together three straight stops and Asiah Dingle went 4-for-6 at the charity stripe to close it out. Megan Carter posted her first career double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds while dishing out a season-best five assists. Thall had 20 points and Katie Shumate added 18 points.
Five Golden Flashes are scoring in double-figures for the season. Freshman Nila Blackford is posting team-leading averages of 13.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Sophomore Asiah Dingle (13.3 ppg, 15.8 since return over 5 games) leads the Flashes in assists (3.3 apg) and steals (2.0 spg). Freshman Katie Shumate (12.3 ppg) has displayed a versatile skill set and ranks in the top-two on the team in rebounding (6.7 rpg), steals (30) and blocked shots (23). Redshirt senior Megan Carter (12.0 ppg) has scored in double-digits in 12 of her past 17 contests against Division I opponents. Sophomore Lindsey Thall (11.2 ppg) is the MAC's top shot blocker (2.0 bpg).
Scouting Akron
Akron (13-12, 6-8 MAC) defeated MAC East leader Ohio, 79-76, on Saturday and has won three in a row since a 60-55 setback at home to the Golden Flashes on February 12. The Zips average 67.4 points per game, which ranks 10th in the conference.
Forward Haliegh Reinoehl posts a team-best 15.2 points per game while grabbing 8.4 rebounds per game, which is fourth-most in the MAC. Forward Jordyn Dawson has made an impact in her first season with the Zips after playing two years at Wabash Valley College with averages of 12.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per contest. Seniors Shaunay Edmonds (9.8 ppg), Caitlin Vari (6.9 ppg, 6.0 rpg) and Shayna Harmon (6.8 ppg) are also key contributors for a veteran Akron core group.
Series History
• Kent State is 54-16 all-time vs. Akron.
• The Golden Flashes have dominated matchups at the M.A.C. Center historically with a 29-5 all-time record.
• The Zips have failed to reach the 60-point mark during their current four-game losing streak.
• The Flashes' 18-game winning streak from Jan. 8, 2000 through Feb, 23, 2008 is the longest for either school.
• Kent State is 6-1 vs. Akron 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 head to Bowling Green on Saturday, February 29 for a 2 p.m. tip.
