Kent State University
16-10, 9-6MAC
Akron
13-13, 6-9MAC
Women’s Basketball Defeats Rival Zips, 68-50, to Complete Season Sweep
2/26/2020 10:44:00 PM | Women's Basketball
KENT, Ohio – Kent State prevented visiting Akron from making a basket for the final 9:30 of Wednesday night's 68-50 victory in a Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge contest inside of the M.A.C. Center.
The Golden Flashes (16-10, 9-6 MAC) limited the Zips to their lowest scoring output of the season while shooting a season-worst 30.2 percent on 16-of-53 from the field. Redshirt senior Megan Carter had a career-high four steals and sophomore Lindsey Thall rejected three shots as Kent State held its rival under 60 points for the fifth meeting in a row.
"This is a great win for us," said head coach Todd Starkey. "You have to be tough this time of year, and I thought we were for the most part down the stretch. We played terrific on the defensive side of the ball, except for a stretch in the third period. I thought we did a really good of staying true to our scout and communicating."
Just as she did in the first matchup between the rival squads two weeks ago, sophomore Asiah Dingle took over in the second half. Dingle shot 6-of-8 and poured in 14 of her game-high 18 points following halftime. She added seven rebounds and five assists. Lindsey Thall and Megan Carter joined her in double-figures with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
The Flashes controlled the glass and finished with a decisive 46-27 rebounding advantage. Returning to action for the first time since the first Flashes-Zips contest on February 12, freshman Nila Blackford pulled down a career-high 15 boards, including seven on the offensive end to help Kent State lead 19-7 in second chance scoring.
Kent State will attempt to complete its third sweep of a Mid-American Conference East Division opponent on Saturday when it travels to Bowling Green for a 2 p.m. tip from the Stroh Center.
