Kent State University
Ohio
Kent State Back on the Road to Battle Ohio on Wednesday
1/11/2022 6:25:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Kent State continues to make its way through an ever-changing Mid-American Conference women's basketball season and will play an opponent other than the one originally scheduled for the third game in a row when they travel to Athens for a 7 p.m. tip against Ohio on Wednesday night.
The Golden Flashes (9-4, 1-3 MAC) sit at No. 18Â in the Mid-Major Top 25 and have played stellar defense to start Mid-American Conference play, limiting opponents to only 59.3 points per contest and 38.1% shooting. Kent State grinded out a 54-51 victory at Ball State on Sunday, as Casey Santoro's driving layup with 17.6 seconds to play put it ahead for good. Bridget Dunn started the fourth quarter with a personal 8-0 and finished with 15 points to match her career high. Nila Blackford notched a double-double with 10 points and 15 rebounds.
Kent State has defeated a pair of Power 5 opponents this season. In addition to ranking 11th in the nation in three-point field goal percentage (.376) and 17th in three-pointers per game (9.0), the Flashes rank in the top 25 in rebounding margin (+10.2) and turnovers per game (12.9).
Sophomore Casey Santoro has been one of the nation's most productive non-starters and leads Kent State with averages of 13.2 points and 3.9 assists per game while ranking 27th nationally with a 2.55 assist-to-turnover ratio. Senior Lindsey Thall is having the best season of her career with averages of 13.1 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. Junior Katie Shumate adds 12.6 points per game. Junior Nila Blackford (9.0 ppg, 9.3 rpg) and senior Hannah Young (7.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg) have helped the Flashes dominate opponents on the glass.
Scouting Ohio
The Bobcats (6-4, 0-1 MAC) fell to Northern Illinois, 71-68, in their conference opener on Saturday. After trailing by nine early in the fourth period, Ohio got within a point in the closing seconds. The Bobcats lead the conference in points per game (80.2) three-pointers per game (10.0), steals per game (12.4) and turnover margin (+7.19). Depth has been an issue, and the bench has failed to provide more than seven points in half of their games.
Guard Cece Hooks (21.6 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 3.6 spg) is the NCAA Division I active leader in career points (2,413), field goals made (917) and steals (448). Guard Erica Johnson (20.3 ppg) is averaging a MAC-best 5.8 assists per game. Forward Gabby Burris adds 15.1 points per game to give the Bobcats the conference's top scoring trio.
Series History
• Kent State is 54-34 all-time vs. Ohio.
• The Golden Flashes won two of the past three meetings, but the Bobcats have won 10 of the last 14 overall.
• Six of the past seven matchups have been decided by four points or fewer.
• Kent State is 18-23 in trips to Athens, including just a solo victory over the past seven visits.
• The Flashes' 19-game winning streak from Jan. 10, 1996 through Jan. 28, 2004 is the longest for either school.
• Kent State is 4-6 vs. Ohio under head coach Todd Starkey.
Broadcast Info
Marty Bannister and Jacki Windon will call the action on ESPN3, while Tyler Henry will be on the call on the Kent State Radio Network.
Next Up for Kent State
The Golden Flashes are scheduled to host the "We Back Pat" game against Eastern Michigan on Saturday, Jan. 15. Tip inside of the M.A.C. Center is set for 1 p.m.
