Kent State University
Ball State
Flashes to Visit First-Place Cardinals Wednesday Night
1/30/2024 3:10:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Kent State women's basketball team will attempt to make a statement Wednesday night against a Ball State squad that received 11 votes in the latest USA Today Top 25 Coaches Poll and owns the sixth longest winning streak in the nation. Tip is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. inside of Worthen Arena.
The Golden Flashes (13-5, 7-1 MAC) will try to match the best nine-game start to Mid-American Conference play in program history, equaling the 1999-00 team that posted a 15-1 league record. Saturday's 82-74 triumph at Bowling Green was the 300th career victory for head coach Todd Starkey, who is now tied for second on Kent State's all-time wins list with 135. Redshirt senior Katie Shumate matched her season-high with 26 points while playing just 20 minutes due to foul trouble.
Kent State has been terrific on the defensive side of the ball and leads the MAC in opponent field goal percentage (.377) and rebounding margin (+5.0), while ranking second in points allowed (60.9 ppg) and turnover margin (+4.0).
Preseason All-MAC First Team guard Katie Shumate leads the Flashes with averages of 13.7 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. Forward Jenna Batsch has been among the most improved players in the MAC this season and is averaging 13.1 points by a Kent State player since the 2014-15 season. Forward Janae Tyler (9.4 ppg) is one of the top scorers among reserve players in the MAC, while center Mikala Morris (8.1 ppg), and forward Bridget Dunn (6.7 ppg) have also posted multiple double-digit scoring performances. Dunn averages a career-high 6.7 rebounds per game and leads the Flashes with 29 three-point field goals.
Scouting Ball State
The Cardinals (18-4, 8-1 MAC) are the last unbeaten team in MAC play and have won 12 straight games. Ball State ranks in the top 40 in the country in field goal percentage (.455), three-point field goal percentage (.366), three-point field goals per game (9.0), turnover margin (+5.20), steals per game (10.7) and turnovers forced per game (20.1).
Ally Becki is one of the most versatile players in the conference and boasts averages of 14.3 points, 5.1 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game. Nyla Hampton (8.4 ppg) also averages 5.1 assists per game and ranks sixth nationally with 66 steals. Madelyn Bischoff is scoring 13.4 points per game and is the MAC leader with 58 three-point field goals.
Series History
• Kent State is 41-23 all-time vs. Ball State but just 12-19 in Muncie.
• The Golden Flashes' four-game winning streak was snapped last season with an 80-71 setback in Muncie.
• Kent State had held the Cardinals below 70 points in each of the previous six matchups.
• The Flashes are 4-5 vs. Ball State under head coach Todd Starkey.
Broadcast Info
Mick Tidrow and Preston Reid 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 begin February with the longest homestand of the season and will host Central Michigan (Feb. 3), Western Michigan (Feb. 7) and Old Dominion (Feb. 10) at the M.A.C. Center.
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.
