Starkey Announces Women’s Basketball Schedule for 2021-22 Season
9/14/2021 3:51:00 PM | Women's Basketball
KENT, Ohio — A home contest against a projected AP Top 25 opponent is among the highlights of the 2021-22 Kent State women's basketball schedule, which head coach Todd Starkey announced Tuesday afternoon.
The Golden Flashes will host a Power-5 school for the second time in the past three seasons when Florida State visits the M.A.C. Center for the final non-conference game on Dec. 21. The Seminoles are one of as many as five opponents on the schedule that played in the NCAA Tournament last season.
"Once again, we have a rigorous non-conference schedule that will be exciting for our fans," Starkey stated. "We're excited to bring another Power-5 team to the M.A.C. Center in Florida State. We will also play in one of the top non-conference tournaments in the country. This schedule was put together with preparation for what looks to be another incredible season of MAC women's basketball with more 20-point scorers returning than any other conference in the country in mind."
Kent State opens the season at Northern Kentucky on Nov. 10. The home opener is slated for Nov. 14 against Saint Francis (Pa.), followed by a contest against John Carroll on Nov. 18.
A trip to Southwest Florida for the previously-announced Gulf Coast Showcase will be next. The Flashes will play UCLA in the opening round of the tournament on Nov. 26 with games to follow on Nov. 27 and 28. The eight-team will be played at Hertz Arena in Estero and includes two additional squads that played in the NCAA Tournament in Iowa State and South Dakota State.
After going to St. Bonaventure on Dec. 3, Kent State will play the final three non-conference games at the M.A.C. Center. The Flashes will host Duquesne on Dec. 8 and Clarion on Dec. 11 before an anticipated matchup against Florida State on Dec. 21.
The 20-game Mid-American Conference schedule begins at home against Toledo on Dec. 29. Kent State then visits Western Michigan on New Year's Day. The remaining league slate will include home-and-home matchups against the other nine MAC schools.
The All-MAC trio of Nila Blackford, Katie Shumate and Lindsey Thall highlight a veteran group of Flashes. The entire starting unit and more than 97 percent of the team's scoring will be back in blue and gold this winter.
Tickets for the season will be available to purchase on Monday, Sept. 20. Please check KentStateSports.com for more details.
Be sure to follow the Golden Flashes on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the team.
