Kent State University
Ohio
Flashes Remain Home to Host Ohio on Wednesday
2/21/2023 4:14:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Kent State continues Mid-American Conference women's basketball action when Ohio visits the M.A.C. Center on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m.
Winners of two in a row and six of the past eight, the Golden Flashes (17-8, 9-5 MAC) have an opportunity to secure a top-four seed in the upcoming conference tournament. Kent State earned a full point in the Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge standings with an 87-46 win over Akron, the largest margin in the rivalry since 1998, on Saturday. Senior Katie Shumate and freshman Corynne Hauser accounted for 17 of the Flashes' first 21 points and finished with 18 points and 17 points, respectively. Kent State scored 42 points in the paint for the second game in a row and led 23-0 in points off turnovers.
Kent State's defense has been among the best in the MAC this season. The Flashes lead the conference in scoring defense (61.5 ppg) and rank second in field goal percentage defense (.387). Kent State is 16-1 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 11.4 points per game and has also totaled team-best marks of 39 three-pointers and 26 blocked shots. Thall is Kent State's all-time leader with 257 triples, which ranks 25th among active NCAA Division I players, and ranks 10th among active players in career blocks (198). Guard Katie Shumate adds 10.9 points per game and pulls down a team-high 6.3 rebounds per contest, while guard Corynne Hauser (10.2 ppg) is averaging a team-best 11.8 points per game during conference play.
Guard Clare Kelly (7.2 ppg) and forwards Bridget Dunn (4.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg) and Tatiana Thomas (4.6 ppg) lead a strong bench unit that is scoring 23.7 points per contest.
Scouting Ohio
The Bobcats (6-19, 4-10 MAC) have won two of their last three games and look to continue to make a late push for a spot in the upcoming MAC Tournament. Ohio, which averages 17.3 turnovers per game, totaled only 21 turnovers in those victories over Northern Illinois and Central Michigan. The Bobcats rank in the bottom 30 in the nation in scoring defense (73.0 ppg) and rebounding margin (-9.0).
Guard Yaya Felder is the top scorer in the conference at 21.0 points per game and is one of only six players in women's college basketball averaging at least 20.0 points and 4.0 assists per contest. Guard Caitlyn Kroll (8.7 ppg) leads the Bobcats with 6.1 rebounds per game. Guard Jaya McClure (8.0 ppg) scored a career-high 22 points in Saturday's victory against Central Michigan.
Series History
• Kent State is 56-35 all-time vs. Ohio.
• Six of the past 10 matchups have been decided by four points or fewer. Only two have had double-digit margins during this span.
• The Golden Flashes are 31-11 in series games played at the M.A.C. Center.
• Kent State made a program record 16 three-point field goals when it hosted Ohio on Dec. 11, 2020, an 84-80 victory.
• The Flashes are 6-7 vs. Ohio under head coach Todd Starkey.
Broadcast Info
Dave Wilson and Lori Bodnar will call the action on ESPN+, while Tyler Henry will be on the call on 850 ESPN Cleveland.
Next Up for Kent State
The Golden Flashes will play on the road for the next two games, at Eastern Michigan on Saturday, Feb. 25 and at Toledo on Wednesday, March 1.
