Kent State University
Toledo
Flashes to Host Toledo Wednesday in Battle of MAC Women’s Hoops Unbeatens
1/16/2024 3:16:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The M.A.C. Center will be the site of the matchup between a pair of squads who have gone undefeated in Mid-American Conference play, as Kent State hosts two-time defending regular season champion Toledo at 7 p.m. The first 250 students will receive an exclusive "Golden Flasher" t-shirt, an ode to one of our original mascots. There will also be a special halftime appearance by the Performance Dogs of Ohio.
The Golden Flashes (10-4, 4-0 MAC) defeated Miami, 69-38, on the road last Wednesday and then took care of Northern Illinois, 73-48, in front of a national TV audience on CBS Sports Network on Sunday to hold consecutive conference opponents under 50 points for the first time since doing so in three straight contests during the 2004-05 season. Kent State held both teams below 30% from the floor had 20 steals against the RedHawks for the first time Dec. 5, 2015.
Kent State has been terrific on the defensive side of the ball and leads the MAC in opponent field goal percentage (.357), opponent three-point field goal percentage (.266), rebounding margin (+6.5), while ranking second in points allowed (58.4 ppg) and turnover margin (+5.0).
The offense has found its rhythm over the past month, as the Flashes have scored at least 82 points in four games. For the season, Kent State leads the MAC in scoring (74.0 ppg), assists per game (16.1), assist-to-turnover ratio (1.18) and fewest turnovers per game (13.6).
Preseason All-MAC First Team guard Katie Shumate leads the Flashes with averages of 12.0 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. Forward Jenna Batsch has been among the most improved players in the MAC this season and is averaging 11.7 points per game. After scoring 124 points in 464 minutes of action during her first two seasons, Batsch has totaled 164 points in 420 minutes. Guard Corynne Hauser (9.9 ppg) owns a 1.77 assist-to-turnover ratio and is averaging 4.9 assists per game to rank third in the conference in both categories. Forward Janae Tyler (9.6 ppg) is the top scorer among reserve players in the MAC, while center Mikala Morris (8.6 ppg), and forward Bridget Dunn (7.4 ppg) have also posted multiple double-digit scoring performances. Dunn averages a career-high 6.3 rebounds per game and leads the Flashes with 26 three-point field goals.
Scouting Toledo
Despite the absence of 2023 MAC Player of the Year Quinesha Lockett (15.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg) since Dec. 17, the Rockets (11-3, 4-0 MAC) enter on a five-game winning streak. Toledo has held all four conference opponents to 55 points or fewer and leads the MAC in scoring defense (57.3 ppg).
Guard Sophia Wiard (14.8 ppg) is the conference leader in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.18) and ranks second with 5.3 assists per game. Wiard has increased her scoring in Lockett's absence and has averaged 17.5 points over the past six contests. Six additional Rockets are averaging at least five points per game on the season. Center Hannah Noveroske (7.4 ppg) is averaging 12.0 points per game on 65.6% shooting against MAC opponents.
Series History
• Kent State is 35-47 all-time vs. Toledo.
• The Rockets have won all five meetings the past two seasons.
• The Golden Flashes had won three in a row prior to that, and seven of the previous eight overall.
• Kent State is 18-15 all-time at home against Toledo.
• The Flashes are 7-7 against the Rockets under head coach Todd Starkey.
Broadcast Info
Dan Griffin and Normandie Berl will call the action on ESPN+, while Dane Richardson will have the call on the Kent State Radio Network.
Next Up for Kent State
The Golden Flashes will play three of the next four games on the road, beginning Saturday against rival Akron at 2 p.m.
Min-Plan Ticket Packages
Mini-plan options are on-sale now at KSUTix.com for as low as $24 per seat.
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