Kent State University
Akron
Women’s Basketball Set for Home Rivalry Contest on Saturday
2/17/2023 4:43:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Kent State women's basketball team seeks to get one game closer to securing its spot in the upcoming Mid-American Conference Tournament as it hosts rival Akron in a Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge contest on Saturday at 2 p.m. The first 250 fans will receive a Wagon Wheel t-shirt, while the first 250 Kent State students who present their FlashCard will receive free pizza.
Despite trailing for nearly 34 minutes on Wednesday, the Golden Flashes (16-8, 8-5 MAC) left Alumni Arena with their first victory at Buffalo since 2011, 72-69. Kent State committed a season-low four turnovers and scored 42 points in the paint, tying its highest interior scoring performance of the season. Junior Casey Santoro scored seven of her team-high 16 points during the fourth quarter, while sophomore Jenna Batsch added a career-high 13 points. Senior Katie Shumate neared a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds.
Kent State's defense has been among the best in the MAC this season. The Flashes ranks second in the conference in scoring defense (62.2 ppg) and third in field goal percentage defense (.389). Kent State is 15-1 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 11.5 points per game and has also totaled team-best marks of 38 three-pointers and 25 blocked shots. Thall is Kent State's all-time leader with 256 triples, which ranks 23rd among active NCAA Division I players, and ranks 10th among active players in career blocks (197). Guard Katie Shumate adds 10.6 points per game and pulls down a team-high 6.2 rebounds per contest, while guard Corynne Hauser (9.9 ppg) is averaging a team-best 11.4 points per game during conference play.
Guard Clare Kelly (7.5 ppg) and forwards Bridget Dunn (4.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg) and Tatiana Thomas (4.3 ppg) lead a strong bench unit that is scoring 23.8 points per contest.
Scouting Akron
The Zips (15-9, 6-7 MAC) defeated Eastern Michigan, 72-70, on Wednesday for the first victory in February, ending a four-game skid. Akron ranks in the top-25 in the country in free throws made per game (15.08) and free throw percentage (.774).
Forward Reagan Bass is the only player who ranks in the top-five in the MAC in scoring (17.3 ppg) and rebounding (7.9 rpg). Forward Molly Neitzel adds 11.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per contest. The frontcourt duo is the only set of teammates in the conference with at least 30 blocks for the season. Guard Dominique Camp (10.6 ppg) is second in the MAC with 2.7 steals per game.
Series History
• Kent State is 57-18 all-time vs. Akron.
• The Golden Flashes won the first matchup this season, 57-55, on Feb. 1.
• Kent State has dominated contests at the M.A.C. Center historically with a 31-6 all-time record.
• The Flashes' 18-game winning streak from Jan. 8, 2000, through Feb. 23, 2008 is the longest for either school.
• Kent State is 9-3 against the Zips under head coach Todd Starkey.
Broadcast Info
Dave Wilson and Matt Kiraly will call the action on ESPN3, while Tyler Henry will be on the call on the Kent State Radio Network.
Next Up for Kent State
The Golden Flashes will host Ohio on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m.
