Kent State University
13-6,5-3MAC
.png&width=60&height=60&type=webp)
Western Michigan
9-10,4-4MAC
Kent State Defense Tames Broncos in Saturday Victory
1/28/2023 7:56:00 PM | Women's Basketball
KENT, Ohio — The Kent State women's basketball team earned its largest margin of victory against a Mid-American Conference opponent since March 1, 2017, on Saturday afternoon, taking down Western Michigan by a score of 64-38 inside of the M.A.C. Center.
The Golden Flashes (13-6, 5-3 MAC) held their fifth opponent this year below 30% shooting from the field, as the Broncos went 15-of-55 for 27.3%. WMU missed its first 16 attempts from three-point range before getting the final attempt to fall with 2:56 to play. Graduate student Lindsey Thall had two of Kent State's five blocked shots and freshman Dionna Gray led the way with two steals as the Flashes converted 15 turnovers into 19 points.
Kent State made four of its first five shots from three-point range and led by as many as 12 points in the first quarter. Both teams shot just 25% in the second period and the Flashes led 34-20 at halftime.
The defense held its guest to 2-of-13 shooting during the third quarter and the lead reached 35 with 3:10 left in the contest. WMU scored the final nine points to avoid a 30-point setback.
Senior Clare Kelly and Thall scored 12 points each to pace Kent State. Graduate student Hannah Young added 10 points, while freshman Tatiana Thomas scored eight points to match her career-high. Senior Katie Shumate pulled down a team-best 10 rebounds.
Kent State recorded assists on 19 of 24 field goals, the team's highest total against a Division I opponent since Dec. 11, 2020. Kelly and Thall had five assists each and freshman Corynne Hauser added four.
The Flashes will visit rival Akron on Wednesday, Feb. 1. Tip from James A. Rhodes Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m.
