Kent State University
Ball State
Golden Flashes to Visit Ball State on Sunday
1/8/2022 10:21:00 AM | Women's Basketball
For the second time this week, the Kent State women's basketball team will play a different Mid-American Conference opponent than originally scheduled when it takes on Ball State inside Worthen Arena on Sunday at 1 p.m.
The Golden Flashes (8-4, 0-3 MAC) sit at No. 17 in the Mid-Major Top 25 and have played stellar defense to start Mid-American Conference play, limiting opponents to only 62.0 points per contest and 40% shooting. Kent State's late rally from a nine-point deficit with just 3:35 came up short when Bridget Dunn's shots at the buzzer was off the mark. Casey Santoro led all players with a career-high 21 points and Nila Blackford grabbed a season-high 17 rebounds.
Kent State has defeated a pair of Power 5 opponents this season. In addition to ranking sixth in the nation in three-point field goal percentage (.396) and 13th in three-pointers per game (9.4), the Flashes rank in the top 20 in rebounding margin (+10.2) and turnovers per game (12.5).
Sophomore Casey Santoro has been one of the nation's most productive non-starters and leads Kent State with averages of 13.8 points and 3.9 assists per game while ranking 21st nationally with a 2.76 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 12.9 points per game. Junior Nila Blackford (8.9 ppg, 8.8 rpg) and senior Hannah Young (7.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg) have helped the Flashes dominate opponents on the glass.
Scouting Ball State
The Cardinals (8-4, 1-1 MAC) earned their first conference win on Wednesday, beating Northern Illinois, 83-82, on a putback off a missed free throw with 1.3 seconds left in overtime. After holding opponents to 66.3 points per game during non-conference play, Ball State has allowed 82 in each of its first two MAC contests. The Cardinals lead the conference in assists per game (16.8) and assist-to-turnover ration (1.22).
Guard Anna Clephane leads the way at 16.8 points per game a MAC-best 53.2% field goal percentage. Forward Thelma Dis Agustsdottir (10.8 ppg) and guard Sydney Freeman (10.8 ppg) are also double-figure scorers for the Cardinals. Freeman ranks fourth in the conference with 4.5 assists per game.
Series History
• Kent State is 39-22 all-time vs. Ball State.
• The Golden Flashes have won the past two matchups, with both being played at the M.A.C. Center in Kent.
• Kent State is just 11-18 all-time in Muncie, which includes a streak of 13 consecutive losses.
• The Flashes' last road victory in the series came on Feb. 19, 1997 (78-66).
• Kent State is 2-4 vs. Ball State under head coach Todd Starkey.
Broadcast Info
Tyler Henry will have the call on the Kent State Radio Network.
Next Up for Kent State
The Golden Flashes are scheduled for home games against Bowling Green (Jan.12) and Eastern Michigan (Jan. 15).
