Kent State University
Niagara
Women’s Basketball Visits Niagara on Thursday Afternoon
12/4/2024 11:49:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The Kent State women's basketball team returns to action on Thursday with a 3 p.m. contest at Niagara.
The Golden Flashes (4-4) are back on the mainland after splitting two contests as part of the Puerto Rico Clasico this past weekend. Kent State posted its third consecutive victory of 20 or more points against a Division I non-conference opponent for the first time since the Mid-American Conference began sponsoring women's basketball for the 1981-82 season on Thanksgiving Day, beating Brown 74-51. The Flashes allowed a 10-point halftime deficit to slip away the next day in a 60-54 loss to Colorado State. Junior Dionna Gray led the way with averages of 12.5 points and 4.5 assists per game and sophomore Mya Babbitt was right behind at 12.0 points per game. Senior Jenna Batsch found her shooting touch and knocked down four of seven attempts from behind the three-point arc.
Dionna Gray has led Kent State to a 3-1 record after missing the first four games of the season and averages 14.0 points and 5.3 assists per game. Preseason All-MAC First Team selection Jenna Batsch adds 12.9 points per contest and has reached double-figures in seven straight. Mya Babbitt (11.7 ppg) is among the conference leaders in three-pointers per game (2.4) and three-point field goal percentage (.422). Bridget Dunn (8.3 ppg) is second in the MAC in rebounding (9.5 rpg) and blocked shots (9). Riley Rismiller, a transfer from Dayton, has made an immediate impact with averages of 10.5 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.
Scouting Niagara
The Purple Eagles (1-5) posted their first victory of the season on Sunday, defeating Bloomsburg 81-60. Niagara has been impacted by the absence of Preseason All-MAAC First Team selection Aaliyah Parker and lost each of its first five games by at least 24 points.
Forward Amelia Strong is the top scorer at 11.3 points per game but has missed the past two contests. Forward Talia Dial is right behind at 11.2 points per game and ranks fourth nationally in three-point field goal percentage (.552). Guard Marlie Dickerson adds 10.2 points per game.
Series History
• Kent State is 1-1 all-time against Niagara.
• The Golden Flashes lost the first ever meeting, 82-55, on the road on Dec. 1, 2012.
• Kent State evened the series the following year with a 69-46 victory at the M.A.C. Center on Dec. 4, 2013.
Broadcast Info
Ryan Maxwell and Sue Petronsky 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
Following finals week, the Golden Flashes will host Virginia University of Lynchburg for the annual School Field Trip Day at 11 a.m. on Dec. 16.
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