Kent State University
Toledo
Kent State Set to Host Toledo for MAC Opener Wednesday
12/28/2021 3:07:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Following a 17-day layoff, the Kent State women's basketball team resumes action with the start of Mid-American Conference play when Toledo visits the M.A.C. Center on Wednesday night. The game is scheduled to tip at 7 p.m. and fans in attendance for the men's basketball game are invited to stay and watch the women's game from any general admission seat.
The Golden Flashes are off to the best start (8-1) since 2008-09 and sit at No. 12 in the Mid-Major Top 25. Casey Santoro recorded the first triple-double in Kent State history during the team's most recent contest, an 89-43 victory over Clarion on Dec. 11. In her first start of the season, Santoro totaled 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in 31 minutes of action. Hannah Young posted the first double-double with a career-high 16 points to go with 13 rebounds. Annie Pavlansky added a career-high 10 points.
Kent State has defeated a pair of Power 5 opponents this season. In addition to ranking third in the nation in three-point field goal percentage (.420) and seventh in three-pointers per game (10.2), the Flashes rank in the top 30 in scoring (77.3), rebound margin (+10.9) and turnovers per game (12.0).
Sophomore Casey Santoro has been one of the nation's most productive non-starters and leads Kent State with averages of 14.2 points and 4.1 assists per game while ranking 10th nationally with a 3.08 assist-to-turnover ratio. Junior Katie Shumate adds 13.9 points per game on 52.2% shooting from the floor. Senior Lindsey Thall is having the best season of her career with averages of 13.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. Junior Nila Blackford (10.1 ppg) is grabbing a team-high 7.8 rebounds per contest.
Scouting Toledo
The Rockets (6-3) lost Missouri State, the No. 1 team in the Mid-Major Top 25, last Tuesday to snap a three-game winning streak. Toledo shot 17-of-61 from the floor for a season-low 27.9% in the 60-46 setback. The Rockets lead the MAC in scoring defense (58.4 ppg) and field goal percentage defense (.358) and have held
Guard Quinesha Lockett is the sixth-highest scorer in the conference at 18.6 points per game. Lockett scored at least 15 points in each of the first eight games of the season and leads the Rockets with 24 three-pointers and 2.0 steals per game. Backcourt mate Sophia Wiard (10.8 ppg) leads Toledo with averages of 6.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. Forward Jessica Cook (8.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg) and guard/forward Nan Garcia (8.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg), a transfer from Penn State, have been contributors during their first season with the Rockets.
KSU in MAC Openers
• Kent State is 19-21 all-time in MAC openers, including a two-game sweep a season ago.
• The Golden Flashes are 0-2 vs. Toledo in MAC openers.
• Both contests were played at the M.A.C. Center and needed an overtime period to determine a winner.
• Toledo earned an 83-79 win on Jan. 2, 1986 and a 107-102 victory on Jan. 2, 1991.
• Head coach Todd Starkey owns a 3-2 record in conference openers. Starkey lost his first MAC contest, 91-78, to eventual regular season champion Central Michigan on Dec. 31, 2016.
• Following victories over Eastern Michigan in each of the two next two conference lid-lifters, Kent State fell on the road to Ball State in 2020.
• The Flashes set a program record with 16 three-point field goals in an 84-80 victory over Ohio last season (Dec. 11, 2020).
Series History
• Kent State is 35-42 all-time vs. Toledo, including a 61-57 victory on December 13.
• The Golden Flashes are 18-13 all-time at home against the Rockets.
• This will be the fifth time the teams have met during the month of December. Kent State is 4-0 in these contests, including a 61-57 win at Toledo on Dec. 13, 2020.
• The Flashes are 7-2 vs. Toledo under sixth-year head coach Todd Starkey.
• Toledo had won nine straight matchups prior to Starkey's arrival.
Broadcast Info
Dave Wilson will have the call on BoxCast and the Kent State Radio Network.
Next Up for Kent State
The Golden Flashes will bring in the New Year with a 1 p.m. contest at Western Michigan on Saturday.
