Kent State University
Ball State
Senior Day Set for Saturday Noon Matchup Against Cardinals
1/8/2021 12:20:00โฏPM | Women's Basketball
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The Kent State women's basketball team will be back in action at noon on Saturday when Ball State visits the M.A.C. Center. Margaux Eibel and Monique Smith will be recognized during a Senior Day presentation prior to the game.
The Golden Flashes (4-2, 3-0 MAC) have won four games in a row and are one of four unbeaten teams remaining in the Mid-American Conference standings. The three-point line, balanced scoring and rebounding have been keys during the win streak. Kent State has averaged 10.0 three-pointers while converting on 47.0-percent of shots from behind the arc. Four starters are averaging double-digit points while two additional players are contributing at least 7.0 points per contest. After being beaten on the glass in both of the first two games, the Flashes have outrebounded opponents by an average of nearly 7.8 over the last four.
Four players are averaging at least 10.0 points per game, seven have posted double-figure scoring nights and two more have scored at least six points in a contest. Sophomore Nila Blackford is one of two MAC players averaging a double-double with team-best marks of 14.5 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. Junior Mariah Modkins (10.8 ppg) is having a breakout season and leads the Flashes in three-point field goals (11), assists (21) and steals (8). The diminutive point guard had a career-high 16 points last Saturday at Eastern Michigan and has scored in double-figures in all three conference games. Junior Lindsey Thall adds 10.0 points per game and is the top shot blocker (1.8 bpg) in the MAC for the third year in a row while averaging a career-best 5.8 rebounds per game. Sophomore Katie Shumate (10.0 ppg), who had offseason surgery and was limited to 15 minutes of action in each of the first two games, has averaged 12.3 points during Kent State's win streak. Sophomore Clare Kelly (6.5 ppg) and freshman Casey Santoro (5.8 ppg) are combining for more than 18 points per game during the team's first three league contests.
Scouting Ball State
The Cardinals (4-4, 2-2 MAC) returned to .500 in league play with a 93-78 victory over Toledo on Wednesday. All five starters scored in double-figures as Ball State put more than 58 points on the scoreboard for just the third time this season. The Cardinals have played well on the road, posting a 3-1 record with the lone loss in the season opener at Milwaukee.
After missing the team's first four games, Preseason All-MAC First Team forward Oshlynn Brown (14.8 ppg, 10.8 rpg) played just 19 minutes in her season debut against Bellarmine on Dec. 14. Over the three games since, Brown is averaging 17.7 points and 12.7 rebounds per game. Guard Essence Booker, an All-Mountain West Conference honorable mention performer at Nevada last season, is the Cardinals' top perimeter scorer at 12.8 points per game. Point guard Sydney Freeman (11.0 ppg, 4.0 apg) is scoring 14.3 points per game during conference contests. Forward Thelma Dis Augustsdottir adds 10.4 points per game.
Series History
โข Kent State is 38-22 all-time vs. Ball State.
โข The Golden Flashes had lost four in a row prior to a 69-68 victory at the M.A.C. Center last January.
โข Ball State is 10-3 overall in the past 13 meetings.
โข Kent State is 25-5 all-time in matchups inside of the M.A.C. Center.
โข The Flashes are 1-4 vs. Ball State under fifth-year head coach Todd Starkey.
Broadcast Info
Dave Wilson and Jack Berney will call the action on ESPN+, while Clint Scroggs has the call on the Kent State Radio Network.
Next Up for Kent State
The Golden Flashes will play at rival Akron on Wednesday, January 13.
