Kent State University
Eastern Michigan
Women’s Hoops to Visit EMU on Saturday
2/4/2022 12:50:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Kent State seeks back-to-back victories for the first time since the second week in December when it battles Eastern Michigan at the Gervin GameAbove Center on Saturday at 2 p.m.
The Golden Flashes (11-7, 3-6 MAC) have played stellar defense to start Mid-American Conference play, limiting opponents to only 60.9 points per contest and 39.1% shooting. The Flashes held their fourth league opponent under 60 points on Wednesday and defeated Central Michigan, 68-57. Kent State totaled 12 steals and scored 25 points off turnovers, the most since the opening game of the season. Katie Shumate scored a game-high 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting and Nila Blackford posted her second straight double-double with 15 and 11 rebounds.
Kent State has defeated a pair of Power 5 opponents this season. The Flashes rank 24th in the nation in three-pointers per game (8.6) and 33rd in three-point field goal percentage (.353). Kent State is 27th in rebounding margin (+7.9) and has yet to be outrebounded.
Senior Lindsey Thall is having the best season of her career with averages of 12.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Sophomore Casey Santoro has been one of the nation's most productive non-starters with averages of 12.4 points and 3.4 assists per game while ranking 30th nationally with a 2.30 assist-to-turnover ratio. Junior Katie Shumate adds 12.0 points per game. Freshman Bridget Dunn (9.5 ppg) is averaging a team-high 12.1 points per game during MAC play. Junior Nila Blackford (10.6 ppg, 9.7 rpg) and senior Hannah Young (6.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg) have helped the Flashes dominate opponents on the glass.
Scouting Eastern Michigan
The Eagles (5-12, 2-8 MAC) have lost seven of their last eight games following 69-62 setback to Buffalo on Saturday. Eastern Michigan leads the conference in free throws made per game (13.8) but is just ninth in free throw percentage (.689).
Guard Areanna Combs is among the most versatile players in the MAC with averages of 18.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.8 steals per game. Combs ranks 11th nationally in free throws made (99). Forward Ce'Nara Skanes adds 12.6 points per game and a team-high 8.1 rebounds per contest. Guard Danielle Rainey (11.6 ppg) ranks third in the conference in three-point field goals per game (2.59) and three-point field goal percentage (.393).
Series History
• Kent State is 42-28 all-time vs. Eastern Michigan.
• The Golden Flashes have won eight of the past nine matchups.
• Kent State is 14-19 in trips to Ypsilanti.
• The Flashes' 19-game winning streak from 1992-03 is the longest for either team.
• Kent State is 8-1 under head coach Todd Starkey.
• The Flashes had an 11-game losing streak prior to Starkey's arrival in 2016.
Broadcast Info
Ryan Wooley and Lexi Ayala will call the action on ESPN+, while Tyler Henry will be on the call on the Kent State Radio Network.
Next Up for Kent State
The Golden Flashes will begin a three-game week on Monday when Miami visits the M.A.C. Center.
