Kent State University
Akron
Road Rivalry Game Begins February Slate for Women’s Hoops
1/31/2023 5:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Kent State will seek its third consecutive victory when it visits rival Akron on Wednesday, Feb. 1. The Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge contest is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the first 50 Kent State students who present their student ID will receive free admission.
The Golden Flashes (13-6, 5-3 MAC) are No. 23 in the Mid-Major Top 25 and are coming off
back-to-back victories against Mid-American Conference opponents by 20 or more points for the first time in 21 years. Kent State led by as many as 35 points during Saturday's 64-38 dismantling of Western Michigan. Senior Clare Kelly and graduate student Lindsey Thall led the Flashes in scoring with 12 points each. Kent State recorded assists on 19 of 24 field goals, the team's highest total against a Division I opponent since Dec. 11, 2020.
Kent State's defense has been among the best in the MAC this season. The Flashes lead the conference in scoring defense (60.5 ppg) and rank second in field goal percentage defense (.377). Kent State is 13-1 when holding opponents to fewer than 70 points and 5-0 when opposing teams shoot less than 30% from the field.
Forward Lindsey Thall is the top scorer at 12.1 points per game and has also totaled team-best marks of 34 three-pointers and 17 blocked shots. Thall is Kent State's all-time leader with 252 triples, which ranks 21st among active NCAA Division I players, and ranks 10th among active players in career blocks (189). Guard Corynne Hauser (9.9 ppg) is averaging a team-best 12.4 points per game during conference play. Guard Katie Shumate adds 9.6 points per game and pulls down a team-high 5.6 rebounds per contest.
Guards Clare Kelly (7.8 ppg) and Dionna Gray (3.9 ppg) and forward Bridget Dunn (4.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg) lead a strong bench unit that is scoring 25.6 points per contest.
Scouting Akron
The Zips (14-5, 5-3 MAC) was the last remaining unbeaten team in the MAC standings at 3-0 but currently sit in a tie for fourth with the Golden Flashes. Akron owns a 9-2 home record and averages 9.5 more points per game inside of James A. Rhodes Arena than on the road. The charity stripe has played a large role in the Zips' success this season, as they rank 13th in the country in free throws made per game (15.89) and 21st in free throw percentage (.778).
Forward Reagan Bass has elevated her game during her sophomore campaign and leads Akron with averages of 17.7 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Guard Dominique Camp (11.8 ppg), forward Molly Neitzel (10.9 ppg) and guard Layne Ferrell (10.4 ppg) are also double-figure scorers for the Zips.
Series History
• Kent State is 56-18 all-time vs. Akron.
• The Golden Flashes lost both meetings last season, marking the first time they've had back-to-back losses in the series since dropping eight in a row from 2013-16.
• Kent State is 25-12 all-time at Akron.
• The Flashes' 18-game winning streak from Jan. 8, 2000, through Feb. 23, 2008 is the longest for either school.
• Kent State is 8-3 against the Zips under head coach Todd Starkey.
Broadcast Info
Michael Reghi and Jeff Phelps 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 travel to first-place Ball State on Saturday, Feb. 4 concluding a stretch of four of five games on the road.
