Kent State University
Northern Illinois
Kent State Hosts NIU in Women’s Basketball Rematch on Wednesday
2/25/2025 4:07:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Kent State seeks to avenge a loss earlier in the month Wednesday as its hosts Northern Illinois for a Mid-American Conference women's basketball contest at 7 p.m. inside of the M.A.C. Center.
The Golden Flashes (17-10, 9-5 MAC) will clinch their spot in the MAC Tournament and are coming off a 60-54 victory that ended Ball State's streak of 15 consecutive home wins against conference opponents. Sophomore Mya Babbitt broke Kent State's single-season three-point field goals record during the fourth quarter and shot 4-of-5 from three-point range in the game to finish with 12 points. Senior Jenna Batsch led all scorers with 18, while senior Bridget Dunn and sophomore Janae Tyler controlled the glass with 13 rebounds and 11 rebounds, respectively.
Preseason All-MAC First Team selection Jenna Batsch (16.6 ppg, 4.1 apg) is the only player in the conference averaging at least 16 points and four assists per game. Bridget Dunn (8.2 ppg) ranks fifth in the nation in defensive rebounding (8.4 drpg) and 31st overall in rebounds per game (9.7). Mya Babbitt (12.3 ppg) leads the MAC with 72 three-pointers and has made 42.4% of attempts from beyond the arc. Janae Tyler (11.1 ppg) has emerged as a consistent inside scoring presence after missing the majority of the non-conference slate of games. Dionna Gray averages 8.1 points and 4.9 assists per game.
Scouting Northern Illinois
The Huskies (12-14, 5-9 MAC) sit one game out of eighth place in the standings following four-point losses to Ohio and Eastern Michigan. Guard Chelby Koker leads NIU with averages of 13.5 points and 4.9 assists per game. Guard Alecia Doyle (11.8 ppg) has scored at least 19 points in four of the last five contests. Forward Brooke Stonebraker (11.0 ppg) leads the way on the glass at 6.4 rebounds per game. Guard Lexi Carlsen (8.4 ppg) is the top three-point shooter in the conference at 43.7% and has made 59 three-pointers, which ranks third.
Series History
• Kent State is 30-19 all-time vs. Northern Illinois.
• The Golden Flashes have won 10 of the last 12 matchups and had a six-game winning streak in the series snapped earlier in the month.
• Kent State is 17-4 against the Huskies inside of the M.A.C. Center.
• The Flashes have won four straight home games in the series with a 18.3-point average margin of victory.
• Kent State is 10-6 against NIU under head coach Todd Starkey.
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.
Next Up for Kent State
The Golden Flashes will play the next two games on the road, beginning with a short trip to rival Akron on Saturday, March 1 at 12 p.m.
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