Kent State University
Bowling Green
Kent State Women’s Hoops Opens New Year, #MACtion Wednesday Against BG
12/31/2024 3:47:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Kent State will celebrate the start of 2025 by hosting Bowling Green in the Mid-American Conference opener on Wednesday, Jan. 1 at 1 p.m.
The Golden Flashes (7-5) defeated John Carroll, 97-59, on Sunday for their fifth consecutive home victory. Excellent ball movement resulted in 25 assists and only eight turnovers. Junior Dionna Gray recorded eight to tie her career-high and was one of four players with at least four. Sophomore Mya Babbitt knocked down four triples and led all scorers with 18 points. Senior Jenna Batsch (17), sophomore Riley Rismiller (15), sophomore Janae Tyler (13) and Gray (11) joined her in double-figures.
Preseason All-MAC First Team selection Jenna Batsch (14.2 ppg, 4.1 apg) is the only player in the conference averaging at least 14 points, four assists and one steal per game. Bridget Dunn (7.2 ppg) ranks second in the nation in defensive rebounding (9.1 drpg) and 14th overall in rebounds per game (10.6). Mya Babbitt (12.8 ppg) leads the MAC with 31 three-pointers and ranks fifth in three-point percentage (.437). Dionna Gray has led Kent State to a 5-2 record after missing the first four games of the season and averages 11.9 points and 5.3 assists per game. Riley Rismiller, a transfer from Dayton, has made an immediate impact with averages of 10.9 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.
Scouting Bowling Green
The Falcons (6-5) own victories over Arkansas and Marquette but have gone 0-5 in true road contests. Bowling Green has not shot better than 40% on an opponent's floor and has been held to fewer than 60 points in three straight on the road.
Preseason All-MAC First Team guard Amy Velasco ranks among the conference leaders in scoring (18.1 ppg), assists (4.7 apg) and three-point field goal percentage (.463). Guard Paige Kohler (11.7 ppg) and forward Erika Porter (11.4 ppg) are also double-digit scorers. Guard Lexi Fleming, who has seen action in only 49 games since earning 2021 MAC Freshman of the Year honors, made her season debut on Dec. 7 and is averaging 8.7 points over three games.
Series History
• Kent State is 38-59 all-time vs. Bowling Green.
• The Golden Flashes won the only meeting last season, 82-74, at the Stroh Center to snap a six-game skid in the series.
• Kent State is 21-21 all-time in matchups at the M.A.C. Center.
• The Flashes are 8-8 vs. the Falcons under head coach Todd Starkey.
KSU in MAC Openers
• Kent State is 21-22 all-time in MAC openers, including a 14-9 mark at the M.A.C. Center.
• The Golden Flashes have beaten Buffalo in the conference opener each of the past two seasons.
• Two seasons ago, a layup by Clare Kelly with 1.5 seconds remaining gave Kent State the 64-63 victory.
• Head coach Todd Starkey owns a 5-3 record in conference openers and is 3-2 at home.
• This is the eighth time Kent State has battled Bowling Green in its first MAC contest, with only one previous matchup being played at the M.A.C. Center.
• The Falcons won that contest, 77-71, on Jan. 7, 2009.
• Bowling Green is 5-2 overall when the teams have played in the conference opener.
KSU on New Year's Day
• Kent State has played just twice previously on New Year's Day with a 1-1 record.
• The Golden Flashes defeated TCU, 106-90, in the third-place game at the Central Florida Holiday Classic to ring in 1993.
• Five players scored in double-figures, led by Rachel Larson's 23 points.
• Kent State fell to Western Michigan, 55-51, on the road in 2022.
• Abby Voss connected on a go-ahead three-pointer for the hosts with less than 30 seconds to play.
• Clare Kelly scored 17 points for the Flashes to lead all players.
Broadcast Info
Matt Kiraly and Jacki Windon will call the action on ESPN+, while Dane Richardson will be on the call on the Kent State Radio Network.
Next Up for Kent State
The Golden Flashes will host undefeated Buffalo for a nationally-televised CBS Sports Network contest at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 5.
Follow the Flashes
Be sure to follow the Golden Flashes on X, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the team.
