Women’s Basketball Trio Named to All-MAC Teams
3/9/2021 11:38:00 AM | Women's Basketball
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Kent State's three women's basketball players selected to the all-conference teams were tied for the most of any team, as the Mid-American Conference announced its 2021 women's basketball postseason awards on Tuesday (March 9) morning. Sophomore Nila Blackford was named to the second team, while sophomore Katie Shumate and junior Lindsey Thall were honorable mention selections. Thall also earned a spot on the MAC All-Defensive Team for the second year in a row.
This is the first time a trio of Golden Flashes have received all-conference accolades since 2005.
Blackford is one of only three players in the conference to averaging a double-double, and her 10.2 boards per game are the most by a Kent State played since Tracey Lynn (10.7 rpg) during the 1990-91 season. Her 11 double-doubles rank 27th in the nation. Blackford scored 21 points and grabbed 15 rebounds against Toledo on December 13 for the first 20-point, 15-rebound game since Anna Kowalska (27 points, 16 rebounds) against Robert Morris on November 15, 2007. The forward also leads the Flashes in scoring (15.6 ppg), field goal percentage (.487) and steals (1.3 spg).
Shumate who earned an honorable mention spot for the second year in a row, was second on the team in scoring (12.2 ppg) and blocks (0.7 bpg). She finished the season strong, scoring in double-digits in eight of her last nine games. Shumate ranks fourth in the MAC in free throw percentage, shooting 84.5 percent from the charity stripe.
Thall led the conference in blocked shots for the third year in a row, averaging 1.53 rejections per game. The forward is scoring 10.9 points per game and is pulling down a career-best 5.3 rebounds per game, which is second on the team. Thall leads the Flashes with 35 three-point field goals. For her career, the Strongsville, Ohio native is second in the Kent State record book in three-pointers (165) and third in blocked shots (145).
Kent State begins the quest for its first MAC Tournament championship since 2002 on Wednesday afternoon against Buffalo. Tip from Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland is expected around 1:30 p.m.
2021 MAC Women's Basketball Player of the Year
Cece Hooks, Ohio
2021 MAC Women's Basketball Coach of the Year
Robyn Fralick, Bowling Green
2021 MAC Women's Basketball Freshman of the Year
Lexi Fleming, Bowling Green
2021 MAC Women's Basketball Defensive Player of the Year
Cece Hooks, Ohio
2021 MAC Women's Basketball Sixth Player of the Year
Janae Poisson, Northern Illinois
2021 MAC Women's Basketball All-MAC First Team
Oshlynn Brown, Ball State
Dyaisha Fair, Buffalo
Molly Davis, Central Michigan
Micaela Kelly, Central Michigan
Cece Hooks, Ohio
2021 MAC Women's Basketball All-MAC Second Team
Lexi Fleming, Bowling Green
Areanna Combs, Eastern Michigan
Nila Blackford, Kent State
Peyton Scott, Miami
Chelby Koker, Northern Illinois
2021 MAC Women's Basketball All-MAC Third Team
Jordyn Dawson, Akron
Kadie Hempfling, Bowling Green
Ce'Nara Skanes, Eastern Michigan
Erica Johnson, Ohio
Quinesha Lockett, Toledo
2021 MAC Women's Basketball All-MAC Honorable Mention
Sydney Freeman, Ball State
Katie Shumate, Kent State
Lindsey Thall, Kent State
Gabby Burris, Ohio
Reilly Jacobson, Western Michigan
Taylor Williams, Western Michigan
2021 MAC Women's Basketball All-Defensive Team
Nyla Hampton, Bowling Green
Dyaisha Fair, Buffalo
Micaela Kelly, Central Michigan
Areanna Combs, Eastern Michigan
Lindsey Thall, Kent State
Cece Hooks, Ohio
2021 MAC Women's Basketball All-Freshman Team
Lexi Fleming, Bowling Green
Nyla Hampton, Bowling Green
Cheyenne McEvans, Buffalo
Madi Mace, Ohio
Taylor Williams, Western Michigan
