Kent State University
Akron
50 Years of Kent State Women’s Basketball Celebration Scheduled for Saturday’s Rivalry Matchup
1/31/2025 3:50:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Kent State will welcome back alumni to celebrate 50 years of varsity women's basketball on Saturday as rival Akron visits the M.A.C. Center for a 1 p.m. contest.
The Golden Flashes (14-7, 7-2 MAC) have won four in a row by 14 or more points and come off a 79-59 wire-to-wire victory over Eastern Michigan on Wednesday. Senior Jenna Batsch scored the first eight points of the night and finished with a career-high 33 on 13-of-21 shooting. The frontcourt trio of sophomore Riley Rismiller, sophomore Janae Tyler and senior Bridget Dunn combined for 34 points on 15-of-22 shooting and helped Kent State record a 42-26 paint scoring advantage. Junior Dionna Gray registered a career-high nine assists.
Preseason All-MAC First Team selection Jenna Batsch (16.1 ppg, 4.2 apg) is the only player in the conference averaging at least 16 points and four assists per game. Bridget Dunn (8.8 ppg) ranks fourth in the nation in defensive rebounding (8.8 drpg) and 22nd overall in rebounds per game (10.1). Mya Babbitt (11.9 ppg) leads the MAC with 49 three-pointers and has made 37.7% of attempts from beyond the arc. Riley Rismiller, a transfer from Dayton, has made an immediate impact with averages of 9.1 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. Dionna Gray averages 8.6 points and 4.9 assists per game while leading Kent State to a 12-4 record in games played this season.
Scouting Akron
The Zips (9-12, 3-6 MAC) were one of the surprises after the first two weeks of conference play but have lost five straight since. Guard Alexus Mobley is the top scorer at 12.3 points per game. Forward Shelbee Brown adds 11.7 points per game and is coming off a career-high 22 during Wednesday's contest against Bowling Green. Brown also ranks fourth in the MAC in rebounding (8.7 rpg). Guard Maddie Vejsicky is averaging 9.8 points per game and is second in the conference with 2.5 three-pointers per game.
Series History
• Kent State owns a 60-18 all-time record in the rivalry.
• The Golden Flashes have swept the season series each of the past two years.
• Kent State has dominated contests at the M.A.C. Center historically with a 33-6 all-time record.
• The Flashes' 18-game winning streak from Jan. 8, 2000, through Feb. 23, 2008 is the longest for either school.
• Kent State is 11-3 against the Zips under head coach Todd Starkey.
Next Up for Kent State
The Golden Flashes will go back on the road next week for games against Northern Illinois on Wednesday, Feb. 5 and Troy on Saturday, Feb. 8.
Broadcast Info
Matt Kiraly and Jacki Windon will call the action on ESPN+, while Rob Polinsky will have the call on the Kent State Radio Network.
Follow the Flashes
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