Kent State University
Ball State
Kent State to Close Home Slate Wednesday in Front of National Audience on ESPNU
3/5/2024 8:45:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The Kent State women's basketball team will go for its 10th victory at the M.A.C. Center in the home finale against second-place Ball State on Wednesday. The game is scheduled for 5 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPNU.
The Golden Flashes (18-8, 13-3 MAC) have not trailed during the current three-game winning streak, holding opponents to 58.0 points per game on 36.2% shooting. Saturday's 67-59 Senior Day victory over Buffalo secured a top-3 seed in the upcoming Mid-American Conference Tournament. Redshirt senior Katie Shumate led the way with 16 points and matched her career-high in rebounds (13) and assists (5). Junior Bridget Dunn totaled 11 points and 12 rebounds, tying a career-high, for her second double-double.
Kent State has been terrific on the defensive side of the ball and ranks second in the MAC in opponent field goal percentage (.382) and opponent three-point field goal percentage (.296) and third in points allowed (61.5 ppg), blocks per game (3.6) and turnover margin (+2.7). Only one opponent has scored more than 64 points since the start of February.
Preseason All-MAC First Team guard Katie Shumate leads the Flashes with averages of 15.2 points and 7.3 rebounds per game and is one of only three MAC players who rank in the top 10 in both categories. Forward Jenna Batsch has been among the most improved players in the conference this season and is averaging 13.8 points per game. Guard Corynne Hauser (9.8 ppg) owns a 1.71 assist-to-turnover ratio and is averaging the most assists per game (4.2) by a Kent State player since the 2014-15 season. Forward Janae Tyler (8.8 ppg) is one of the top scorers among reserve players in the MAC, while forward Bridget Dunn (6.7 ppg) has helped the Flashes lead the conference in rebounding margin (+6.2) with a career-high 6.8 rebounds per game and has made a team-high 42 three-point field goals.
Scouting Ball State
The Cardinals (25-4, 14-2 MAC) rank in the top 35 in the country in scoring margin (+13.2), bench scoring (24.3), three-point field goals per game (8.1), turnover margin (+5.52), steals per game (10.7) and turnovers forced per game (20.0). Ball State will play its final two games of the regular season on the road, where it has struggled recently. The Cardinals have gone 1-2 in their last three road contests and trailed at halftime each time.
Ally Becki is one of the most versatile players in the conference and boasts averages of 13.0 points, 4.7 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game. Nyla Hampton (8.3 ppg) ranks fourth nationally with 97 steals and is second in the MAC in assists per game (4.8). Madelyn Bischoff is second on the team in scoring at 12.3 points per game and ranks in the top 30 nationally in three-point field goals (73) and three-point field goal percentage (.412).
Series History
• Kent State is 41-24 all-time against Ball State.
• The Golden Flashes are 27-5 all-time in matchups inside of the M.A.C. Center and have not lost a home game in the series since Jan. 20, 2018.
• Kent State had held the Cardinals below 70 points in seven of the previous eight meetings.
• The Flashes are 4-6 vs. Ball State under head coach Todd Starkey.
Broadcast Info
Kylen Mills and Mike Thibault will call the action on ESPNU, while Dane Richardson will have the call on the Kent State Radio Network.
Next Up for Kent State
The Golden Flashes will play the final regular contest at Toledo on Saturday, March 9.
Follow the Flashes
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