Kent State University
Akron
Women’s Hoops Hosts Wagon Wheel Challenge Game Saturday to End Regular Season
3/5/2021 4:02:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Kent State will bring the women's basketball regular season to an end Saturday with a Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge game against rival Akron. Tip is scheduled for 2 p.m. inside of the M.A.C. Center.
The Golden Flashes (10-8, 9-6 MAC) return home following a pair of losses on the road at Miami and first-place Bowling Green. Freshmen Casey Santoro and Lexi Jackson took advantage of their opportunities for more playing time in Wednesday's 82-65 loss against the Falcons. Santoro scored a career-high 16 points to lead the way and added five rebounds and five assists. Jackson showcased her shooting range by going 2-of-3 from behind the three-point line and finished with a career-high 10 points. Juniors Lindsey Thall (12) and Hannah Young (10) also scored in double-figures. Young and sophomore Nila Blackford grabbed seven boards each to lead Kent State to a 39-28 rebounding advantage.
Four players are averaging more than 10.0 points per game against conference opponents. Sophomore Nila Blackford is one of three MAC players averaging a double-double with team-best marks of 15.3 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. Sophomore Katie Shumate (12.1 ppg) has a team-high 39.7 three-point field goal percentage. Junior Lindsey Thall adds 11.3 points per game and is the top shot blocker (1.6 bpg) in the MAC for the third year in a row while averaging a career-best 5.3 rebounds per game. Sophomore Clare Kelly (9.4 ppg) has averaged 11.0 points per game since moving into the starting lineup after the New Year. Junior Mariah Modkins (6.9 ppg) leads the Flashes with 2.8 assists per game. Freshman Casey Santoro adds 6.9 points per game off the bench.
Scouting Akron
The Zips (7-13, 4-13 MAC) have won two of their last three games and are coming off a 71-67 victory over Ohio on Wednesday night. On the season, Akron is ninth in the conference in scoring (68.0 ppg) and 10th in scoring defense (73.7 ppg).
Forward Jordyn Dawson leads the Zips in nearly every statistical category with averages of 16.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.2 steals per game. Forward Lonasia Brewer is among the most-improved players in the conference and adds 10.8 points per game. Guards Molly Neitzel (6.7 ppg) and Layne Ferrell (5.0 ppg) have stepped up late in the season and have averaged 13.0 points and 14.7 points, respectively, over the last three games. Guards Rachel Martindale (6.1 ppg) and Emma Tecca (5.6 ppg) have combined for 67 three-point field goals.
Series History
• Kent State is 55-16 all-time vs. Akron.
• The Golden Flashes have dominated matchups at the M.A.C. Center historically with a 30-5 all-time record.
• The Zips have failed to reach the 60-point mark during their current five-game losing streak.
• The Flashes' 18-game winning streak from Jan. 8, 2000 through Feb. 23, 2008 is the longest for either school.
• Kent State is 7-1 under fifth-year head coach Todd Starkey.
Broadcast Info
Dave Wilson and Jack Berney will call the action on ESPN+, while Clint Scroggs has the call on the Kent State Radio Network.
Next Up for Kent State
The Golden Flashes will play a MAC Tournament quarterfinals contest on Wednesday, March 10 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland. The opponent and game time are still to be determined.
