Kent State University
Miami
Golden Flashes Open MAC Women’s Basketball Tournament Wednesday Against Miami
3/11/2025 6:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Kent State begins the path to a second consecutive Mid-American Conference Women's Basketball Tournament championship on Wednesday afternoon against No. 5 seed Miami. The quarterfinal contest is expected to tip around 1:30 p.m. at Rocket Arena in Cleveland.
The Golden Flashes (20-11, 12-6 MAC) secured their third 20-win campaign in a row on Saturday with a 69-62 Senior Day victory over Toledo. Seniors Jenna Batsch and Bridget Dunn had memorable performances in their final time playing at the M.A.C. Center. Batsch led all scorers with 27 points and recorded a career-high six steals. Dunn finished with 12 points and 13 rebounds for her seventh double-double of the season and recorded a career-high five assists.
All-MAC selections Jenna Batsch (first team) and Janae Tyler (honorable mention) were recognized for their outstanding play this season. Batsch (17.1 ppg, 3.9 apg) has recorded 30 consecutive double-digit scoring performances, which is tied for the sixth longest streak in Division I. Tyler (11.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg) has emerged as a consistent inside scoring presence after missing the majority of the non-conference slate, averaging 15.0 points per contest since the start of February. Bridget Dunn (8.2 ppg) ranks fifth in the nation in defensive rebounding (8.4 drpg) and 31st overall in rebounds per game (9.8 rpg). Mya Babbitt (11.6 ppg) leads the MAC with 77 three-pointers and has made 40.7% of attempts from beyond the arc. Dionna Gray averages 8.5 points and 5.0 assists per game.
Kent State in the MAC Tournament
• Kent State is making its 37th appearance in the MAC Tournament and has a 39-31 record in tournament play.
• The Golden Flashes have advanced to the quarterfinals in Cleveland in eight of nine seasons under head coach Todd Starkey.
• Kent State has advanced to the semifinals 20 times, recording an 13-6 record in those games (2020 game was not played after tournament was canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic).
• The Flashes have won four MAC Tournament titles: 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2024.
• Kent State appeared in the championship game seven straight years from 1996-2002 and has played for the title 13 times overall.
• During that seven-year stretch, the Flashes owned an 18-4 MAC Tournament record.
MAC Tournament History vs. Miami
• Kent State and Miami battle in the MAC Tournament for the 10th but first since 2002.
• The Golden Flashes are 6-3 in previous postseason matchups.
• Kent State beat the RedHawks in the semifinals each of the first two years of the conference tournament being played in Cleveland with an 85-70 victory in 2001 and 74-50 victory in 2002.
Scouting Miami
Defense has been key to the RedHawks (19-10, 11-7 MAC) posting a 10-win improvement from last season. Miami ranks in the top-20 in the country in steals per game (11.5) and turnovers forced per game (21.3) while leading the MAC in scoring defense (58.3 ppg).
Guard Enjulina Gonzalez earned All-MAC First Team honors after ranking fourth in the conference in scoring at 16.9 points per game. Forward Amber Tretter averages 11.0 points per contest and is third in the conference in rebounding (9.0 rpg) and was named All-MAC honorable mention. Guard Maya Chandler adds 11.0 points per game and scored 18 during both matchups against Kent State this season.
Series History
• Kent State is 52-49 all-time vs. Miami.
• The teams split the season series this year with the road team winning each matchup.
• Neither team has won more than two in a row in the series since the Golden Flashes recorded four straight victories from 2019-21.
• Kent State is 10-6 vs. Miami under head coach Todd Starkey.
Broadcast Info
Dave Bacon and Jacki Windon will call the action on ESPN+, while Dane Richardson will have the call on the Kent State Radio Network.
Next Up for Kent State
With a win, the Golden Flashes advance to the MAC Tournament semifinals on Friday, March 14 against the winner of the quarterfinal between No. 1 seed Ball State and No. 8 seed Western Michigan.
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