Kent State University
Ball State
Play4Kay Game Set for Saturday vs. Ball State
2/11/2022 3:45:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Kent State women's basketball will host its annual Play4Kay game Saturday against Ball State. The game helps to raise awareness and funding for women's cancer research and honor female cancer survivors. Tip inside of the M.A.C. Center is scheduled for 1 p.m.
The Golden Flashes (14-7, 6-6 MAC) extended their win streak to four games with a 78-67 victory Wednesday at Central Michigan, the program's first successful trip to Mount Pleasant since 2007. Kent State shot 29-of-56 (51.8%) from the floor and never trailed in the contest. Nila Blackford and Bridget Dunn led the way with 16 points each and Mariah Modkins was right behind with a season-high 15 points. Casey Santoro scored all 11 of her points during a 17-4 run during a stretch late in the third quarter and early in the fourth that put the Flashes ahead by 17.
Kent State has defeated a pair of Power 5 opponents this season. The Flashes rank 22nd in the nation in three-point field goal percentage (.363) and 26th in three-pointers per game (8.5). Kent State is 40th in rebounding margin (+6.5).
Senior Lindsey Thall is having the best season of her career with averages of 12.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Junior Katie Shumate adds 11.9 points per game. Sophomore Casey Santoro has been one of the nation's most productive non-starters with averages of 11.7 points and 3.3 assists per game while ranking 33rd nationally with a 2.23 assist-to-turnover ratio. Freshman Bridget Dunn (10.0 ppg) is averaging a 12.2 points per game during MAC play. Junior Nila Blackford (11.7 ppg, 9.6 rpg) and senior Hannah Young (7.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg) have helped the Flashes dominate opponents on the glass.
About Play4Kay
The vision for Play4Kay came directly from Coach Kay Yow. Through Play4Kay, she saw a vision to bring communities together and honor survivors in the fight against ALL cancers affecting women. It was basically a simple idea — take a game in your schedule and use it to fundraise for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. As Play4Kay evolved, the mechanisms for fundraising have expanded and so have the initiatives. Schools nationwide are finding ways to "Play4Kay" on and off the basketball court.
Scouting Ball State
The Cardinals (14-7, 7-4 MAC) did not play on Wednesday but will enter the Saturday with a MAC-best five game winning streak. Ball State has outscored its opposition by an average score of 74.2-66.6 during this stretch.
Leading scorer Anna Clephane (16.2 ppg) has not played since midway through the fourth quarter of the team's first meeting on Jan. 9, but the Cardinals have posted a 6-2 record since that loss. Guard Ally Becki (10.0 ppg, 4.6 apg) has been the catalyst during the current win streak, averaging 18.2 points and 6.6 assists per contest over the five games. Forward Thelma Dis Agustsdottir (11.0 ppg) and guard Sydney Freeman (10.4 ppg) are also double-figure scorers for the Cardinals. Dis Agustsdottir ranks third in the conference with 53 three-pointers.
Series History
• Kent State is 39-22 all-time vs. Ball State.
• The Golden Flashes have won the past three matchups and will look to defeat the Cardinals multiple times in the same season since 2006.
• Kent State is 26-5 all-time in matchups inside of the M.A.C. Center.
• The Flashes are 3-4 vs. Ball State under head coach Todd Starkey.
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 be back in action the M.A.C. Center on Wednesday against Northern Illinois.
