Kent State University
Bowling Green
Kent State Hosts First-Place BG Saturday for Play4Kay Game
2/10/2023 6:32:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Kent State women's basketball team will host its annual Play4Kay game Saturday against Bowling Green. Tip inside of the M.A.C. Center is scheduled for 2 p.m.
The Golden Flashes (14-7, 6-4 MAC) are No. 23 in the Mid-Major Top 25 and have won four of the past five following a 68-63 victory over Central Michigan on Wednesday. Senior Katie Shumate and freshman Corynne Hauser combined for 17 points in the fourth quarter to hold off the Chippewas' comeback effort. Shumate finished with 20 points and season-high 12 rebounds, while Hauser added 14 points.
Kent State's defense has been among the best in the MAC this season. The Flashes lead the conference in scoring defense (61.3 ppg) and rank second in field goal percentage defense (.383). Kent State is 14-1 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 11.2 points per game and has also totaled team-best marks of 35 three-pointers and 22 blocked shots. Thall is Kent State's all-time leader with 253 triples, which ranks 23rd among active NCAA Division I players, and ranks 10th among active players in career blocks (194). Guard Katie Shumate adds 10.7 points per game and pulls down a team-high 6.0 rebounds per contest, while guard Corynne Hauser (10.1 ppg) is averaging a team-best 12.0 points per game during conference play.
Guard Clare Kelly (7.6 ppg) and forwards Bridget Dunn (4.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg) and Tatiana Thomas (4.1 ppg) lead a strong bench unit that is scoring 24.2 points per contest.
About Play4Kay
The vision for Play4Kay came directly from Coach Kay Yow. Through Play4Kay, she saw a vision to bring communities together and honor survivors in the fight against ALL cancers affecting women. It was basically a simple idea — take a game in your schedule and use it to fundraise for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. As Play4Kay evolved, the mechanisms for fundraising have expanded and so have the initiatives. Schools nationwide are finding ways to "Play4Kay" on and off the basketball court.
Scouting Bowling Green
The Falcons (21-2, 10-1 MAC) sit at No. 6 in the Mid-Major Top 25 and have won 10 in a row since dropping the conference opener at Ball State. Bowling Green ranks second in the nation in turnover margin (+8.70) and own top-15 rankings in scoring (80.6 ppg), assists per game (17.9), assist-to-turnover ratio (1.40) and turnovers forced per game (21.5).
The dynamic scoring attack features five players averaging double-digits on the season. Guard Elissa Brett leads the way with 13.7 points per game. Forward Allison Day and guard Nyla Hampton add 12.3 and 11.7 points per contest, respectively, and are shooting better than 50% from the field. Guard/forward Jocelyn Tate (10.5 ppg) is Bowling Green's top rebounder at 6.4 per game. Morgan Sharps (10.4 ppg) has been sidelined since Jan. 18.
Series History
• Kent State is 37-57 all-time vs. Bowling Green.
• The Golden Flashes are 21-21 all-time at home against the Falcons.
• Kent State is 7-7 vs. Bowling Green under head coach Todd Starkey.
Broadcast Info
Tyler Henry and Matt Kiraly will call the action on ESPN3, while Dave Wilson will be on the call on the Kent State Radio Network.
Next Up for Kent State
The Golden Flashes will visit Buffalo on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 6 p.m.
