Kent State University
17-9,9-8MAC
Miami
8-18,4-13MAC
Lockdown Defense Keys Road Victory Over RedHawks
2/23/2022 10:07:00 PM | Women's Basketball
OXFORD, Ohio — Kent State held host Miami to its lowest scoring game of the season and led by as many as 21 points Wednesday night inside of Millett Hall to earn a 61-52 victory and sweep of the season series.
The Golden Flashes (17-9, 9-8 MAC) did not allow any second chance points and blocked a season-high seven shots while holding the RedHawks to 22-of-67 (32.8%) shooting from the field. Senior Lindsey Thall and freshman Bridget Dunn swatted three shots each and seven players grabbed at least four rebounds on the defensive end. Kent State held a dominant 48-31 rebounding advantage overall. Junior Nila Blackford led the way with a game-high 11 boards, while senior Hannah Young and junior Katie Shumate added eight rebounds and seven rebounds, respectively.
The defense set the tone from the opening tip, allowing Miami to make just one of its first seven shots, as Shumate put the Flashes ahead 11-2 with a three-pointer with 4:59 to play in the first quarter. Kent State shot just 1-of-8 the rest of the period, however, and led 14-9 after 10 minutes of action.
The Flashes held their host to only two points over the first five minutes of the second period and senior Mariah Modkins' three-pointer at the 4:59 mark made it 22-11. Dunn and Thall also knocked down triples in the period to help extend it to 30-18 at halftime.
Thall came out of the break with a personal 5-2 run to push the lead to 14 less than two minutes into the third quarter. A 14-5 run over the final 6:36 gave Kent State a 21-point lead heading into the final 10 minutes.
Miami scored the first nine points in the fourth, but the Flashes pushed their lead back to 21 on a free throw from Blackford with 2:25 to play. Kent State removed its starters shortly after, and the RedHawks used full court pressure to close on a 13-1 run.
Thall led the offense with 18 points and recorded a team-high four assists. Modkins reached double-figures for the second time this season and finished with 10 points. Blackford and Shumate were right behind with nine points apiece.
The Flashes will celebrate Senior Day on Saturday, Feb. 26. when they host Buffalo in a 1 p.m. contest at the M.A.C. Center.
