Kent State University
Miami
Monday Night #MACtion Marks Start of Busy Week for Flashes
2/6/2022 5:05:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Kent State looks to continue its ascent up the Mid-American Conference women's basketball standings when it hosts Miami on Monday for a 7 p.m. contest inside of the M.A.C. Center.
The Golden Flashes (12-7, 4-6 MAC) have played stellar defense to start Mid-American Conference play, limiting opponents to only 60.9 points per contest and 38.7% shooting. The Flashes held their third straight opponent to 61 or fewer points on Saturday and defeated Eastern Michigan, 70-61, to complete the season sweep. Kent State shot 5-of-7 from behind the three-point line in the fourth quarter and built a lead that reached 13 points after trailing by 10 early in the third period. Nila Blackford scored a game-high 17 points and Lindsey Thall was right behind with 16 points. Katie Shumate (11 points) and Hannah Young (10 points) also scored in double-digits, while Clare Kelly totaled a career-high six assists.
Kent State has defeated a pair of Power 5 opponents this season. The Flashes rank 21st in the nation in three-pointers per game (8.6) and 24th in three-point field goal percentage (.360). Kent State is 39th in rebounding margin (+6.7).
Senior Lindsey Thall is having the best season of her career with averages of 12.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. Sophomore Casey Santoro has been one of the nation's most productive non-starters with averages of 11.9 points and 3.3 assists per game while ranking 33rd nationally with a 2.21 assist-to-turnover ratio. Junior Katie Shumate is also scoring 11.9 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 (10.9 ppg, 9.6 rpg) and senior Hannah Young (7.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg) have helped the Flashes dominate opponents on the glass.
Scouting Miami
The RedHawks (7-12, 3-7 MAC) used a 27-8 run over an 11-minute stretch in the second half to snap a five-game skid on Saturday and defeat Western Michigan on the road, 80-67. Miami ranks ninth in the MAC in scoring (67.5 ppg) and scored more than 69 points for the first time since the conference opener in the victory.
Guard Peyton Scott ranks fifth in the MAC in scoring at 18.9 points per game and also leads the RedHawks with averages of 6.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. Guard Ivy Wolf adds 10.5 points per game and has made a team-high 32 three-point field goals. Guard Edyn Battle (10.2 ppg) scored a career-high 20 points on Saturday and is averaging 13.1 points per game in league play.
Series History
• Kent State is 48-47 all-time vs. Miami.
• Both of last season's matchups were decided on baskets in the final 1.8 seconds, with the home team winning each contest.
• The Golden Flashes are 29-13 at the M.A.C. Center against Miami.
• Kent State has held the RedHawks under 70 points in 12 of the last 15 meetings.
• The Flashes are 6-4 vs. Miami 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 continue a three-game week Wednesday at Central Michigan before returning to the M.A.C. Center for the annual Play4Kay Game against Ball State.
