Kent State University
Oklahoma State
Women’s Hoops Visits Oklahoma State on Sunday
11/19/2022 5:24:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Just four games into the season, the Kent State women's basketball team will battle its third opponent from a Power Five conference when it visits Oklahoma State on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET.
The Golden Flashes (1-2), ranked No. 17 in this week's Mid-Major Top 25 poll, held an 11-point lead 28 minutes into the opener against Florida State before losing, 80-71. Following an impressive 23-point victory over Northern Kentucky the next time out, Kent State was unable to overcome a 3-of-13 shooting performance from long range during the first half Thursday at Arkansas, losing 80-59. Senior Katie Shumate became the 24th member of the Flashes' 1,000 points club during the third period and finished with a team-high 12 points. Kent State's bench outscored the Razorbacks' reserves 26-15, with freshman Corynne Hauser (10) and graduate student Annie Pavlansky (9) leading the way.
A pair of former All-Mid-American Conference selections in Shumate and forward Lindsey Thall have led the way for the Flashes this season. Shumate is averaging a team-best 14.3 points per game while shooting 57.6% from the floor. Thall is averaging 11.0 points per game and has drained a team-high six three-point field goals.
Guard Corynne Hauser and forward Bridget Dunn lead a strong bench unit that is scoring 23.0 points per contest. Hauser (9.3 ppg, 3.0 apg) had five assists in the opener and recorded her first double-digit scoring effort on Sunday with 11 points against NKU. Dunn is the team's top rebounder (7.0 rpg) and grabbed a career-best nine boards on Sunday.
Scouting Oklahoma State
The Cowgirls (4-0) have trailed for just 2 minutes and 42 seconds of game time during their first four contests and led by at least eight points at the end of each first quarter. A 73-54 victory at Missouri State on Thursday is their closest game of the year. Oklahoma State won its three home games by an average of 35.7 points per contest.
One of the nation's most dangerous teams from behind the three-point line, the Cowgirls rank seventh in the country in three-pointers per game (11.0) and three-point field goal percentage (.444).
Forward Lior Garzon (11.8 ppg) leads the way with 13 makes on 25 attempts from long range. A transfer from Villanova who was named the Big East Conference Co-Most Improved Player last season, Garzon was selected to the preseason watch list for the Cheryl Miller Award that recognizes the top small forward in women's college basketball. Guard Naomie Alnatas (14.3 ppg) is the team's top scorer after pouring in 28 points during Thursday's victory and averages a team-best 4.5 assists per game. Guard Claire Chastain (12.3 ppg), forward Taylen Collins (11.8 ppg) and guard Lexy Keys (10.3 ppg) are also averaging in double-digits. Collins leads the way on the glass with 8.5 rebounds per contest.
Series History
• Kent State is 0-1 all-time vs. Oklahoma State.
• The Cowgirls defeated the Golden Flashes, 86-74, on Dec. 11, 1987.
• The contest was played in Malibu, California as part of the Wave Classic.
Broadcast Info
Mike Wolfe and Bryndon Manzer will call the action on ESPN+.
Next Up For Kent State
The Golden Flashes will return to action next weekend at the Christmas City Classic. Quinnipiac will be the first opponent on Nov. 26, followed by host Lehigh or Southern Illinois on Nov. 27.
