Kent State University
Duquesne
Kent State Begins Homestand Wednesday Against Duquesne
12/7/2021 3:52:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Kent State women's basketball will conclude the 2021 calendar year with four straight home games at the M.A.C. Center, beginning Wednesday night against Duquesne at 7 p.m.
The Golden Flashes (6-1) held their third opponent of the season under 55 points Friday in a 64-53 win at St. Bonaventure. Katie Shumate led the way with 19 points, while Nila Blackford added a season-high 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds.
Kent State has defeated a pair of Power 5 opponents this season and was ranked No. 14 in the most recent Mid-Major Top 25. The Flashes' offensive efficiency has been elite, ranking in the top 50 nationally in scoring (76.6), three-pointers per game (9.6), three-point field goal percentage (.414) and turnovers per game (12.9).
Senior Lindsey Thall is having the best season of her career with averages of 14.4 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. Juniors Katie Shumate adds 13.9 points per game on 53.6% shooting from the floor. Sophomore Casey Santoro has been one of the nation's most productive non-starting players and is averaging 13.3 points and a team-high 3.4 assists per game, while ranking third in the MAC with a 2.67 assist-to-turnover ratio. Junior Nila Blackford (10.9 ppg) is grabbing a team-high 8.3 rebounds per contest.
Scouting Duquesne
The Dukes (4-5) fell to Temple, 67-55, on Sunday to bring a three-game winning streak to a halt. Duquesne has scored 60 or fewer points in five games and held three opponents under 50 points.
Guard Fatou Pouye leads the way with 12.4 points per game on 50% shooting from the field. Guard Megan McConnell (10.4 ppg) is tied for the team lead at 5.9 rebounds per game while ranking second in the A-10 in assists per game (5.2) and fourth in steals per game (2.7). Guard Tess Myers (10.1 ppg) is tied for the A-10 lead with 23 three-pointers. Guard Libby Bazelak adds 7.6 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.
Series History
• Kent State is 4-5 all-time vs. Duquesne.
• The Golden Flashes will host the Dukes for the third time in the last four season, splitting the two previous matchups, including a 73-66 victory a year ago.
• Duquesne is 2-2 all-time in visits to the M.A.C. Center.
• Kent State is 2-1 vs. Duquesne under sixth-year head coach Todd Starkey.
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 continue the four-game homestand to against Clarion on Saturday, Dec. 11.
