Kent State University
Northern Illinois
Golden Flashes Head to NIU for Two-Game Series
2/19/2021 1:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball
A challenging stretch for the Kent State women's basketball team continues this weekend with two games at second-place Northern Illinois on Saturday, February 20 and Sunday, February 21. Both games are scheduled to tip at 2 p.m. ET and conclude a four-game road swing.
After playing seven games over the first two months of the season, the Golden Flashes (7-6, 6-4 MAC) will play their seventh and eighth games over a 19-day span. Kent State is in the midst of a season-long three-game skid and is coming off its lowest-scoring game of the season against a Mid-American Conference opponent on Wednesday, a 71-58 loss at Western Michigan. The Flashes led by seven at the end of the first two quarter but made just four of their next 27 shots and trailed by as many as 20 points. Nila Blackford collected her ninth double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Lindsey Thall also scored 14 points and grabbed seven boards.
Five players are averaging at least 8.0 points per game during conference action. Sophomore Nila Blackford is one of three MAC players averaging a double-double with team-best marks of 15.7 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. Sophomore Katie Shumate (11.8 ppg) is averaging 14.5 points per game during February and is second in the MAC in three-point shooting (.475). Junior Lindsey Thall adds 11.2 points per game and is the top shot blocker (1.7 bpg) in the MAC for the third year in a row while averaging a career-best 5.6 rebounds per game. Sophomore Clare Kelly (9.5 ppg) has averaged a team-best 16.3 points over the past four games. Junior Mariah Modkins (7.2 ppg) leads the Flashes with 2.8 assists per game. Freshman Casey Santoro adds 6.8 points per game off the bench.
Scouting Northern Illinois
The Huskies (11-6, 9-3 MAC) are a much fresher team with two of their past three games being postponed. Northern Illinois has won five straight games and nine of the last 10 overall. The Huskies average 76.1 points per game and lead the conference in three-point field goal percentage (.395), three-point field goal percentage defense (.286) and rebounding margin (+8.0) while ranking last in turnover margin (-5.71).
Guard Chelby Koker is among the most improved players in the conference and is averaging 21.0 points per game. Koker leads the MAC in free throw percentage (.921) and has made a team-high 43 three-pointers while adding 6.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. Backcourt mate Janae Poisson (9.2 ppg) ranks fifth nationally in three-point field goal percentage (.482). Forward A'Jah Davis (10.0 ppg, 8.1 rpg) had career-highs of 17 points and 19 rebounds during NIU's last game against Buffalo. Forward Mikayla Brandon adds 7.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.
Series History
• Kent State is 22-17 all-time vs. Northern Illinois.
• The Golden Flashes are 7-11 overall in trips to DeKalb and snapped a five-game losing streak inside of the Convocation Center with a 79-71 victory last season.
• Kent State is 2-4 under fifth-year head coach Todd Starkey.
Broadcast Info
Clint Scroggs will be on the call on the Kent State Radio Network. The games will also be streamed on ESPN+ and ESPN3.
Next Up for Kent State
The Golden Flashes will host the annual Play4Kay game against Buffalo on Wednesday, February 24.
