Kent State University
Eastern Michigan
Kent State to Host EMU for “We Back Pat” Game on Wednesday
1/23/2024 5:01:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Kent State women's basketball team will be back in action at the M.A.C. Center on Wednesday for a Mid-American Conference matchup against Eastern Michigan. The contest has been designated as the "We Back Pat" game and will tip at 7 p.m.
The Golden Flashes (11-5, 5-1 MAC) got back in the win column on Saturday, going on the road to beat Akron, 69-60, for a third consecutive victory in the rivalry. Kent State overcame a nine-point deficit a little more than 12 minutes into the contest for its largest comeback of the season. Junior Jenna Batsch led all scorers with 18 points and set new career-highs with five steals and four three-point field goals. Redshirt senior Katie Shumate scored eight of her 14 points in the fourth quarter to prevent a late rally by the host Zips.
Kent State has been terrific on the defensive side of the ball and leads the MAC in opponent field goal percentage (.368), opponent three-point field goal percentage (.289) and rebounding margin (+5.1), while ranking second in points allowed (60.3 ppg) and turnover margin (+4.0).
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 (73.8 ppg), assist-to-turnover ratio (1.17) and fewest turnovers per game (13.4), while ranking second in assists per game (15.7).
Preseason All-MAC First Team guard Katie Shumate leads the Flashes with averages of 13.0 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Forward Jenna Batsch has been among the most improved players in the MAC this season and is averaging 12.4 points per game. Guard Corynne Hauser (9.9 ppg) owns a 1.68 assist-to-turnover ratio and is averaging 4.6 assists per game to rank third and fourth in the conference, respectively. Forward Janae Tyler (9.3 ppg) is the top scorer among reserve players in the MAC, while center Mikala Morris (8.2 ppg), and forward Bridget Dunn (7.1 ppg) have also posted multiple double-digit scoring performances. Dunn averages a career-high 6.3 rebounds per game and leads the Flashes with 28 three-point field goals.
Scouting Eastern Michigan
The Eagles (5-11, 2-4 MAC) have gone 4-4 since interim head coach Ke'Sha Blanton took over the program on Dec. 11. Eastern Michigan is allowing just 58.5 points per game during this time and had held six straight opponents below 70 prior to a 72-62 loss at Ohio on Saturday.
Center Tayra Eke is the MAC leader with 37 blocked shots and is EMU's top scorer at 10.3 points per game while adding 7.1 rebounds per game. Forward Kennedi Myles (6.8 ppg) averages 8.7 rebounds per game, which ranks second in the conference, and has team-high 31 steals. Guards Lachelle Austin (8.4 ppg) and Olivia Smith (8.1 ppg) provide perimeter scoring options.
Series History
• Kent State is 45-28 all-time vs. Eastern Michigan.
• The Golden Flashes have won five in a row in the series, and 11 of the past 12 matchups overall.
• Kent State is 25-8 all-time in games at the M.A.C. Center.
• The Flashes' 19-game winning streak from 1992-03 is the longest for either team.
• Kent State is 11-1 under head coach Todd Starkey.
• The Flashes had an 11-game losing streak prior to Starkey's arrival in 2016.
About "We Back Pat" and The Pat Summit Foundation
The Pat Summitt Foundation, a fund of East Tennessee Foundation, was established by Pat and Tyler Summitt in November 2011. Its mission is to award grants to nonprofit organizations that advance research for treatment and a cure, provide care and support for patients and caregivers, and educate the public about Alzheimer's disease. To learn more please visit Home | Pat Summitt, like the foundation on Pat Summitt Foundation, and follow it on X and Instagram @webackpat.
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 are scheduled to play back-to-back road games against teams near in top of the MAC standings with contests at Bowling Green on Jan. 27 and at Ball State on Jan. 31.
Individual Game Tickets
Individual game tickets can be purchased at KSUTix.com.
Follow the Flashes
Be sure to follow the Golden Flashes on X, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the team.
