Kent State University
Louisiana
Women’s Hoops Visits Louisiana to Start 2023-24 Campaign
11/11/2023 7:06:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The Kent State women's basketball team will begin the 2023-24 regular season on Sunday at Louisiana. The game is part of the inaugural MAC-Sun Belt Challenge and is scheduled to tip at 5 p.m. ET.
Led by eighth-year head coach Todd Starkey, the Golden Flashes are ranked No. 16 in the preseason Mid-Major Top 25 poll and were picked third in the Mid-American Conference preseason poll. Kent State earned a spot in the Postseason WNIT for the second consecutive year and finished with a 21-11 overall record for the most wins since the 2005-06 season.
Guard Katie Shumate was named to the Preseason All-MAC First Team after a strong finish last season when she earned third-team honors. A three-time All-MAC selection for her career, Shumate led the Flashes in scoring (12.7 ppg), rebounding (7.1 rpg) and steals (35) while ranking second in blocks (22).
Juniors Jenna Batsch and Bridget Dunn and sophomores Corynne Hauser and Tatiana Thomas averaged more than 10 minutes per game last season. Hauser was a MAC All-Freshman Team performer, averaging 8.9 points per game and team-best 3.0 assists per game.
The Flashes defeated Muskingum, 106-35, in the lone exhibition contest last Sunday. Six of 13 players who saw action scored in double-figures with junior Jenna Batsch and freshman Janae Tyler tying for the team lead with 14 points each. Graduate student Mikala Morris grabbed seven of her game-high 11 rebounds on the offensive end and also recorded three steals.
Scouting Louisiana
The Ragin' Cajuns (1-1) have played twice already during the regular season, defeating Spring Hill College, 75-45, at home and falling on the road to Auburn, 60-54. Louisiana led the Tigers by as many as 12 points in the first half but trailed by nine with 6:32 to play. After making it a one-point game with an 8-0 run, the Cajuns were unable to make another field goal until a three-pointer with 11.0 on the clock.
In the absence of Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference Second Team guard Lanay Wheaton, forward Tamera Johnson has led the way with averages of 14.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Guard Destiny Rice, a former top-100 recruit in her third season at Louisiana after transferring from Alabama, adds 10.5 points per game. Guard Brandi Williams, an all-conference selection in 2021, averages 8.5 points per game in her return to action after missing the 2022-23 season and has made four of the team's seven three-point field goals.
KSU in Season Openers
• Kent State is 24-24 all-time in season openers after falling to Florida State, 80-71, last season at the M.A.C. Center.
• Head coach Todd Starkey is 4-3 in openers and is the only KSU head coach to be victorious in their debut at the school with a 77-52 win against Bradley to begin the 2016-17 season.
• Starkey has led the Golden Flashes to a 3-2 record in season openers on the road, most recently beating Northern Kentucky 80-73 to start the 2021-22 campaign.
Series History
• This will be the first ever meeting on the hardwood between Kent State and Louisiana.
• Head coach Todd Starkey is 1-1 against current members of the Sun Belt Conference.
• The Golden Flashes beat Georgia Southern, 62-48, and lost to Troy, 71-64, on back-to-back days at the 2019 Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic.
Broadcast Info
Dan McDonald and Scott Brazda will call the action on ESPN+, while Dane Richardson will be on the call on the Kent State Radio Network.
Next Up for Kent State
The Golden Flashes will remain the Bayou to battle defending national champion LSU on Tuesday, Nov. 14.
Season Tickets
Fans can order season tickets now at KSUTix.com for as low as $60 per seat.
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