Kent State University
Ohio
Flashes to Battle Bobcats as Calendar Flips to February
2/2/2021 4:12:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Kent State's women's basketball team returns to action Wednesday when it travels to Ohio for a 6 p.m. Mid-American Conference contest.
The Golden Flashes (5-2, 4-0 MAC) will take the court for just the third time in 2021, and fifth time since defeating the Bobcats, 84-80, on December 11. Kent State team made a program-record 16 three-point field goals, with five players contributing multiple makes. The victory started the five-game winning streak that the Flashes will bring into Wednesday night. The three-point line, balanced scoring and rebounding have been keys during this streak. Kent State has averaged 9.4 three-pointers while converting on 44.8 percent of shots from behind the arc. Six players are averaging at least 8.0 points per contest. After being beaten on the glass in both of the first two games, the Flashes have outrebounded opponents by an average of nearly 8.2 over the last five.
Four players are averaging more than 9.0 points per game and eight have posted double-figure scoring nights. Sophomore Nila Blackford is one of two MAC players averaging a double-double with team-best marks of 15.3 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. Junior Lindsey Thall adds 10.1 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 5.7 rebounds per game. Sophomore Katie Shumate (9.6 ppg), who had offseason surgery and was limited to 15 minutes of action in each of the first two games, has averaged 11.2 points during Kent State's win streak. Junior Mariah Modkins (9.3 ppg) is having a breakout season and leads the Flashes in assists (21) while ranking second in three-point field goals (11), and steals (8). Freshman Casey Santoro (6.7 ppg) are sophomore Clare Kelly (6.6 ppg) and combining for more than 18 points per game during the team's first four league contests.
Scouting Ohio
The Bobcats (9-5, 7-4 MAC) have played as well as any MAC team over the past few weeks with victories in four of the last five games. This stretch began with impressive victories against Central Michigan and Buffalo, followed by a gritty come-from-behind win on the road against Western Michigan despite a shorthanded roster. Ohio then lost to a close contest at Eastern Michigan last Wednesday before returning to the Convocation to trounce Akron, 85-55.
The highest-scoring team in the MAC at 80.3 points per game, the Bobcats rank 18th nationally with 9.1 three-point field goals per game. Ohio has been held under 70 points just twice this season, but those were the two contests prior to the Akron victory on Saturday.
Guards Cece Hooks (26.4 ppg) and Erica Johnson (19.5 ppg) are the nation's top scoring duo. Hooks is the second-leading scorer in the country and has averaged 30.4 points per game over the Bobcats' last five games. The two-time MAC Defensive Player of the Year is 19th nationally in steals per game (2.9) and grabs a team-best 6.4 rebounds per game. Johnson leads Ohio with 4.1 assists per game and adds 5.9 rebounds per game. She is averaging 25.4 points in five career games against Kent State. Forward Gabby Burriss is posting career-best averages of 12.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game during her senior campaign.
Series History
• Kent State is 54-33 all-time vs. Ohio.
• The Golden Flashes won the past two meetings, but the Bobcats have won nine of the last 13 overall.
• Each of the past six matchups have been decided by four points or fewer.
• The Flashes snapped a five-game skid in the series with an 81-77 victory on March 4 last season.
• Kent State is 18-22 in trips to Athens.
• The Flashes' 19-game winning streak from Jan. 10, 1996 through Jan. 28, 2004 is the longest for either school.
• Kent State is 4-5 vs. Ohio under fifth-year head coach Todd Starkey.
Broadcast Info
Dave Wilson 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 begin a stretch of three games at the M.A.C. Center when Miami visits on Saturday, February 6.
