Kent State University
Northern Kentucky
Golden Flashes Lift Lid on Women’s Hoops Season Wednesday at NKU
11/9/2021 6:07:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Kent State heads to Northern Kentucky for the 2021-22 women's basketball season opener on Wednesday, Nov. 10. Tip from BB&T Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m.
The Golden Flashes return the entire starting lineup and more than 97% of the team's scoring from the 2020-21 season. Forward Nila Blackford (second team), guard Katie Shumate (honorable mention) and forward Lindsey Thall (honorable mention) were All-Mid-American Conference recipients. Blackford was one of only three players in the conference to average a double-double, leading Kent State with 15.5 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. Shumate was second on the team with 12.2 points per game and 13 blocked shots. Thall drained a team-best 36 three-pointers and scored 11.0 points per game while grabbing a career-high 5.1 rebounds per game. The senior was the top shot blocker in the MAC for the third year in a row, rejecting an average of 1.5 shots per game to earn a spot on the MAC All-Defensive Team.
Guards Clare Kelly and Mariah Modkins provide experience in the backcourt. Kelly (8.8 ppg) found her stride a month into the season and averaged 10.2 points per game against once the calendar turned to 2021. Modkins led the Flashes with 2.8 assists per game and averaged a career-best 7.1 points per game.
Guard Casey Santoro (6.7 ppg), guard Hannah Young (4.5 ppg) and center Lexi Jackson (2.1 ppg) were Kent State's top contributors off the bench last season. Additional depth could be provided by a pair of Power 5 transfers, guard Abby Ogle (West Virginia) and center Bexley Wallace (Penn State).
Scouting Northern Kentucky
The Norse return four starters from last year's team that went 8-11 overall and were picked to finish fourth in the Horizon League Preseason Coaches' Poll. Guards Lindsey Duvall and Ivy Turner were voted to the Horizon League Preseason first and second teams, respectively. Northern Kentucky overcame an early 10-2 deficit to defeat Pikeville, 73-48, in an exhibition contest on Nov. 1. Turner led the way with 18 points, while Carissa Garcia (11) and Duvall (10) also scored in double-figures.
NKU had three players receive Horizon League postseason honors last year. Lindsey Duvall was named to the second team after scoring 16.9 points per game and ranking sixth in the conference with 7.8 rebounds per game. Ivy Turner added 11.2 points per game and a team-best 2.7 assists per game to earn third team honors. Grayson Rose (7.7 ppg) blocked 1.37 shots per game and was named to the All-Defensive Team.
KSU in Season Openers
• Kent State is 23-23 all-time in season openers after falling to No. 19 Ohio State, 103-47, last season.
• Head coach Todd Starkey is 3-2 in openers and is the only KSU head coach to be victorious in their debut at the school with a 77-52 win against Bradley to begin the 2016-17 season.
• The Flashes defeated the Norse, 59-54, to open the 2017-18 season in Highland Heights.
Series History
• Kent State is 3-0 all-time vs. Northern Kentucky.
• Head coach Todd Starkey is 2-0 against the Norse with a 59-54 victory on Nov. 11, 2017, and a 62-61 victory on Nov. 17, 2018.
• The Golden Flashes won the first-ever meeting, 72-59, on Nov. 29, 1981 in Highland Heights.
Broadcast Info
Tyler Henry will be on the call on the Kent State Radio Network. The game will also be streamed on ESPN+.
Next Up For Kent State
The Golden Flashes will open the home schedule against Saint Francis (Pa.) on Sunday, Nov. 14 at 2 p.m.
