Kent State University
LSU
Golden Flashes Look to Remain Undefeated, Challenge No. 7 LSU on Tuesday
11/13/2023 5:04:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Kent State will face a tough challenge against No. 7 LSU on Tuesday in a 12 p.m. ET contest at the PMAC, as it looks to open the season with a 2-0 trip to the Bayou.
Ranked No. 16 in the preseason Mid-Major Top 25, the Golden Flashes (1-0) led by as many as 14 points in Sunday's season opener, a 64-55 victory at Louisiana as part of the inaugural MAC-Sun Belt Challenge. Junior Jenna Batsch scored a career-high 15 points and the defense made pivotal stops throughout the 40 minutes and held the Ragin' Cajuns to 29.6% shooting to win on a night when shots weren't falling at the normal rate.
Making her first career start, Batsch got off to a hot start and knocked down 5 of 10 field goal attempts to lead Kent State with 12 points at halftime. Her corner triple with 1:35 to play extended the lead back to eight points. Preseason All-MAC First Team selection Katie Shumate failed to score in double-digits for the first time since Feb. 11 of last season and had nine points on 3-of-10 shooting. Shumate made an impact on the defensive end, which is where six of her team-high eight rebounds were grabbed to go with two blocks and one steal. Five Flashes scored at least nine points overall, with center Mikala Morris and guard Corynne Hauser scoring 10 each and forward Janae Tyler adding nine in her college debut.
Scouting #7Â LSU
After winning the 2023 national championship and adding a pair of All-American transfers, the Tigers (2-1) received 35 of 36 first-place votes in the preseason AP Poll but were shocked by 20th-ranked Colorado in the season opener last Monday. LSU has responded by beating its next two opponents, Queens and Mississippi Valley State, by more than 60 points each.
The ultra-talented roster includes three players named to the preseason watch list for the Wade Trophy, which is the oldest and most prestigious national player of the year award in college women's basketball. Angel Reese (19.0 ppg, 12.0 rpg), the 2023 Final Four Most Outstanding Player, headlines the group that also includes DePaul transfer Aneesah Morrow (12.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg) and Louisville transfer Hailey Van Lith (9.3 ppg). Sa'Myah Smith is the leading scorer through three games at 19.3 points per game on 74.2% shooting. Freshman Mikaylah Williams adds 15.3 points per game and has made seven of the Tigers' 14 three-point field goals.
Series History
• Kent State is 0-2 all-time vs. LSU, with both games being played in Baton Rouge.
• The Tigers edged the Golden Flashes in the first meeting, 78-75, on Dec. 20, 1995.
• LSU won the second matchup decisively, 73-49.
• Kent State head coach Todd Starkey is 0-1 in matchups against LSU head coach Kim Mulkey. Mulkey's fifth-ranked Baylor Bears defeated the Golden Flashes, 84-42, in the opening game of the 2016 Gulf Coast Showcase in Estero, Florida.
Broadcast Info
Lyn Rollins and Victor Howell will call the action on SECN+, while Dane Richardson will be on the call on the Kent State Radio Network.
Next Up for Kent State
The Golden Flashes will return to action Tuesday, Nov. 21 at Xavier.
Season Tickets
Fans can order season tickets now at KSUTix.com for as low as $60 per seat.
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