Kent State University
Central Michigan
Flashes Host Chippewas for Unity Game Wednesday
2/1/2022 4:35:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Kent State's women's basketball team will be back at the M.A.C. Center to host Central Michigan in its Unity Game on Wednesday, Feb. 2.
The 7 p.m. contest marks the start of four games over the first nine days during February for the Golden Flashes (10-7, 2-6 MAC). Kent State has played stellar defense to start Mid-American Conference play, limiting opponents to only 61.4 points per contest and 38.9% shooting. The Flashes were outscored 6-0 over the final 30.2 seconds in their last contest, a 61-55 loss at Northern Illinois last Wednesday. Nila Blackford scored 15 of her season-high 24 points in the fourth quarter and grabbed 15 rebounds. Lindsey Thall added 11 points and drained a trio of three-point field goals.
Kent State has defeated a pair of Power 5 opponents this season. The Flashes rank 20th in the nation in three-pointers per game (8.8) and 35th in three-point field goal percentage (.355). Kent State is 23rd in rebounding margin (+8.5) and has yet to be outrebounded.
Senior Lindsey Thall is having the best season of her career with averages of 12.7 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Sophomore Casey Santoro has been one of the nation's most productive non-starters with averages of 12.6 points and 3.5 assists per game while ranking 23rd nationally with a 2.40 assist-to-turnover ratio. Junior Katie Shumate adds 11.5 points per game. Freshman Bridget Dunn (9.7 ppg) is averaging a team-high 12.9 points per game during MAC play. Junior Nila Blackford (10.4 ppg, 9.6 rpg) and senior Hannah Young (7.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg) have helped the Flashes dominate opponents on the glass.
Scouting Central Michigan
The Chippewas (4-15, 2-8 MAC) have lost seven of their last eight games following a 70-60 setback to Akron on Saturday. Central Michigan is last in the MAC in scoring (57.8 ppg) and field goal percentage (.358) and has failed to score 50 points six times.
Guard Molly Davis ranks sixth in the conference at 19.0 points per game and adds 4.8 assists per game, which ranks second. Forward Jahari Smith (11.7 ppg) is second in the MAC in rebounding (10.8 rpg) and makes nearly 60% of her attempts from the field. Guard Tiana Timpe (8.4 ppg) has made a team-high 45 three-pointers and is averaging 10.3 points per MAC contest.
Series History
• Kent State is 31-32 all-time vs. Central Michigan.
• The Chippewas have 10 straight meetings by an average of 17.4 ppg.
• Kent State last defeated CMU, 67-64, on Jan. 22, 2012.
• The Flashes have an 19-12 all-time record in meetings at the M.A.C. Center.
• The teams have split the two overtime games they have played with CMU coming out on top in the most recent occurrence, 87-70, on Feb. 9, 2008 in Kent.
Broadcast Info
Dave Wilson and Jack Berney 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 play at Eastern Michigan on Saturday, Feb. 5 and be right back in action at the M.A.C. Center against Miami on Monday, Feb. 7.
