Kent State University
UMass
Another Unbeaten Awaits Flashes in Gulf Coast Showcase Semis
11/26/2021 10:05:00 PM | Women's Basketball
For the second day in a row, the Kent State women's basketball team will play in a battle between unbeaten teams when its tips against UMass in a Gulf Coast Showcase semifinal matchup at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 27.
The Golden Flashes defeated No. 19 UCLA, 75-69, on Friday for the first 4-0 start to a season since the 2010-11 campaign. After trailing by six just over a minute, Kent State went on a 22-7 run to take its largest lead of the contest, 70-61, with 57.4 seconds remaining. Lindsey Thall led the Flashes with a season-high 20 points and shot 5-of-7 from behind the three-point line. Katie Shumate scored 10 of her 17 points in the first half. Both players grabbed seven rebounds.
The Flashes' offensive efficiency has been elite in the early weeks of the season, ranking in the top 25 nationally in three-point field goal percentage (.447), three-pointers per game (9.5) and scoring average (81.8). Kent State ranks second the Mid-American Conference in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.15) and field goal percentage (.480).
Senior Lindsey Thall leads the Flashes with averages of 15.0 points and team-best 6.8 rebounds per game. Thall has made a MAC-best 13 three-point field goals and is shooting 56.4% from the floor overall. Sophomore Casey Santoro has been one of the nation's most productive non-starting players and is averaging 14.8 points and a team-high 4.0 assists per game, while ranking fourth in the MAC in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.67). Juniors Katie Shumate (13.3 ppg) and Nila Blackford (10.3 ppg) are also double-figure scorers.
Scouting UMass
The Minutewomen (6-0) defeated South Dakota State, 81-63, in the tournament's opening game on Friday to mark the best start of a season since the 1978-79 season. UMass scored the contest's first seven points and led by as many as 27 in the decisive victory. The Minutewomen are averaging 78.0 points per game and have put at least 79 on the scoreboard five times.
Guard Sydney Taylor (20.0 ppg) scored a game-high 23 points on Friday. All-A-10 forward Sam Breen (16.2 ppg, 11.2 rpg) has recorded four double-doubles and grabbed at least nine boards in each game this season. Forward Angelique Ngalakulondi (11.2 ppg) and guard Ber'Nyah Mayo (10.2 ppg) are also double-figure scorers. Point guard Destiney Philoxy (8.8 ppg, 5.5 apg) joined Breen as a Preseason All-A-10 selection.
Series History
• Kent State is 1-3 all-time vs. UMass on the hardwood.
• The Golden Flashes won the first ever matchup, 53-51, on Dec. 11, 1996, in Amherst.
• The series resumed with the 2012-13 season opener, an 85-63 UMass home victory.
• The Minutewomen visited the M.A.C. Center the following season and left with a 69-61 win.
Broadcast Info
Spencer Siegel, Kelsey Wilkinson, Cameron Irwin will call the action on FloHoops, while Dave Wilson will be on the call on the Kent State Radio Network.
Next Up for Kent State
The Golden Flashes will play No. 13 Iowa State or Penn State on Sunday, Nov. 28 at either 5 p.m. or 7:30 p.m.
