Kent State University
Coppin State
Women’s Basketball Hosts Coppin State on New Year’s Eve
12/30/2022 8:21:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Kent State returns to the M.A.C. Center hardwood on New Year's Eve as Coppin State visits for a 1 p.m. tip on Saturday.
The Golden Flashes (7-3) are No. 13 in this week's Mid-Major Top 25, were most recently in action on Dec. 20, a 97-36 win over Otterbein. Every student-athlete who played scored and grabbed a rebound for the second game in a row. Freshman Corynne Hauser led the way with 13 points and classmate Dionna Gray scored a career-high 12 points.
Kent State has played stellar defense while posting a 3-1 record during December. The Flashes are only allowing 47.8 points per game while limiting opponents to a 31.5% field goal percentage. Three of four opponents have failed to reach the 50-point mark.
Guard Katie Shumate leads the Flashes at 12.2 points per game. Forward Lindsey Thall adds 11.8 points per game and is Kent State's all-time leader with 235 triples. Thall ranks 20th among active NCAA Division I players, while ranking 11th in career blocks (180). Guard Hannah Young (5.6 ppg) pulls down a team-high 5.8 rebounds per game.
Guards Corynne Hauser (7.8 ppg) and Dionna Gray (5.9 ppg) lead a strong bench unit that is scoring 27.8 points per contest.
Scouting Coppin State
The Eagles (3-11) were outscored 13-4 in overtime during a loss at Akron on Thursday. Coppin State averages 57.9 points per contest and has been held to 41 or fewer three times. The Eagles rank among the bottom 20 in the country in field goal percentage (.349), three-point field goal percentage defense (.341) and assists per game (9.0).
With MEAC Player of the Year Jaia Alexander on the sideline for the first 14 games, guard/forward Jewel Watkins (14.2 ppg) and guard Mossi Staples (13.4 ppg) have been the top scoring duo in the conference, combining for 53 of Coppin State's 78 three-pointers. Watkins had a team-high 20 points on Thursday and is averaging 17.1 points over seven games in December. Forward Colleen Bucknor (6.8 ppg) pulls down 7.5 rebounds per game, which ranks third in the MEAC.
Series History
• Kent State dominated Coppin State, 88-29, in the only previous meeting on Dec. 28, 1996.
Flashes on New Year's Eve
• Kent State is 1-3 all-time on New Year's Eve, including a 0-2 record in Mid-American Conference action.
• Head coach Todd Starkey's first MAC contest was a 91-78 setback against Central Michigan on Dec. 31, 2016.
• Most recently, the Golden Flashes cruised to a 92-38 victory over Clarion on Dec. 31, 2018.
Broadcast Info
Dave Wilson and Matt Kiraly 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 will conclude a four-game homestand on Wednesday, Jan. 4 when Buffalo visits the M.A.C. Center for the Mid-American Conference opener.
