Kent State University
12-8, 5-4MAC
Bowling Green
8-13, 1-8MAC
Lockdown Defense Keys Win Over High-Scoring Falcons
2/5/2020 10:20:00 PM | Women's Basketball
KENT, Ohio – Kent State's defense swarmed visiting Bowling Green in a 61-47 victory on Wednesday night at the M.A.C. Center. The victory puts the Golden Flashes (12-8) at 5-4 halfway through the Mid-American Conference schedule and alone in second place in the East Division standings.
The Falcons, which entered as the second highest-scoring team in the conference, were held to the lowest scoring performance of the season and 27 points beneath their average. Kent State rejected a season-best nine shots while limiting Bowling Green to 31.8-percent shooting from the floor. Sophomore Lindsey Thall, who scored a game-high 19 points, anchored the defense with four swats, while freshman Katie Shumate matched her career-high with three. Freshman Nila Blackford and junior Monique Smith added one block apiece.
"This was a good win against a tough BG team," head coach Todd Starkey said. "We really showed a lot of guts defensively. Our defensive intensity was phenomenal in the third quarter, and I thought that carried over to the rest of what we did. When we start to knock down good looks while playing defense like that, we are going to be as tough of an out as anybody in the conference."
Sophomore Asiah Dingle had one of her most efficient games in a Kent State uniform, scoring 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting in 20 minutes of action. Nila Blackford grabbed a career-best 11 rebounds. Lindsey Thall had seven boards, while Monique Smith was right behind with six to match her career-high.
Sophomore Mariah Modkins led the Flashes with four assists and was up to the challenge of shutting down Falcons guard Madisen Parker, one the nation's top three-point threats. Parker has connected on 3.5 three-pointers per game this season but was held scoreless while being limited to one attempt from beyond the arc in a team-high 32 minutes of action.
The Flashes will play four of the next five games on the road, beginning Saturday at East Division leader Ohio. Tip from the Convocation Center is scheduled for 1 p.m.
