Kent State University
Saint Francis (Pa.)
Kent State to Host Saint Francis (Pa.) for Home Opener Sunday
11/13/2021 2:09:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Kent State women's basketball team will play the first of two home games over a five-day stretch at 2 p.m. on Sunday when Saint Francis (Pa.) visits the M.A.C. Center for the home opener.
The Golden Flashes (1-0) finished on a 17-9 run over the final 2:47 to win on the road, 80-73, at Northern Kentucky on Wednesday night. Sophomore Casey Santoro put Kent State ahead for good with a driving layup and scored nine of her career-high 19 points during the stretch to help close out the victory. All seven Flashes who entered the scoring column finished with at least seven points. Senior Lindsey Thall stuffed the stat sheet with 17 points, eight rebounds, three steals, three blocks and two assists. Senior Hannah Young had 11 points and six rebounds, while junior Nila Blackford also reached double-figures with 10 points.
Kent State made at least half of its shots in a season opener for the first time in more than a deciding, going 27-for-53 from the floor against the Norse. The Flashes' 80 points are the most in an opener since a 95-58 win over Youngstown State on Nov. 15, 2008. After recording double-digit steals just once in 20 games and ranking last in the Mid-American Conference in steals per game last season, Kent State had 10 steals on Wednesday. Senior Abby Ogle helped raise the defensive pressure in her Flashes debut and had three steals in just 18 minutes of action. Kent State's 27 points off turnover were the most since having 33 at Norther Illinois on Jan. 15, 2020.
Scouting Saint Francis (Pa.)
Following a 14-9 campaign in 2020-21, the Red Flash were selected to finish third in the Northeast Conference Preseason Poll. This season's roster does not feature a student-athlete listed as taller than 6-1.
Saint Francis opened the season Tuesday on the road and lost to Temple, 73-53. Guard Kaitlyn Maxwell shot 3-of-4 from beyond the arc and finished with a career-high 21 points. Guard Jordan McLemore scored nine points in her first game as a Red Flash after transferring from Hartford. Guards Lili Benzel and Jenna Mastellone added eight points each. Saint Francis was outscored 40-18 in the paint and their 28 turnovers led to 26 points for the Owls.
Series History
• Kent State is 1-3 all-time vs. Saint Francis (Pa.).
• The Golden Flashes won the first meeting on Dec. 21, 2006, by a score of 85-52 in Kent.
• The Red Flash evened the series with a 101-92 overtime victory in its only home contest between the programs on Dec. 4, 2010.
• Saint Francis (Pa.) went ahead in the series with a 81-67 win on Nov. 28, 2012.
• The Red Flash held on for a 67-64 home victory over the Golden Flashes early last season.
Broadcast Info
Dave Wilson and Jack Berney will call the action on ESPN3, while Tyler Henry will be on the call on the Kent State Radio Network.
Next Up for Kent State
The Golden Flashes will host John Carroll for the School Day game at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 18.
