Kent State University
Buffalo
Golden Flashes Back in Action Saturday at Buffalo
1/23/2026 2:16:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Kent State returns to action on Saturday following a midweek bye and visits Buffalo for a noon matchup on ESPN+.
The Golden Flashes (8-10, 3-4 MAC) have won three in a row and seek back-to-back road victories for the first time this season after beating Eastern Michigan, 78-65, in their most recent road contest on Jan. 10. Last time out, Kent State took care of Akron, 91-79, for its seventh straight rivalry win behind a historic performance from Emory Klatt. The sophomore continued her recent emergence as a key player by scoring a career-high 29 points on 11-of-12 shooting for a program single-game record 91.7 field goal percentage. Caitlyn Holmes (7), Anna Campanelli (5) and Meghan Murray (5) also provided solid contributions towards a season-best 46 bench points. Mya Babbitt knocked down three of four shots from long range and added 19 points.
Junior Mya Babbitt is the fourth leading scorer in the MAC at 16.0 points per game and has two of the top five single-game scoring performances in the league. Babbitt is second in the conference with 41 three-point field goals. Juniors Riley Rismiller (7.7 ppg) and Tatiana Thomas (7.6 ppg) provide low post options. Rismiller has three double-doubles and ranks ninth in the MAC in rebounding with 6.5 per game, while Thomas is grabbing 7.4 boards per conference contest. Senior Dionna Gray (5.4 ppg) is fourth in the MAC in assists with 5.1 per game.
Scouting Buffalo
The Bulls (2-16, 0-7 MAC) have lost by fewer than 12 points just twice during the current 10-game drought. Buffalo has struggled on offense and ranks in the bottom three of the conference in scoring (57.8 ppg), field goal percentage (.367), three-point field goal percentage (.271), free throw percentage (.654) and turnovers per game (22.2).
Three of the Bulls' top four scorers are freshmen, and UB is the only team in the MAC with three first-year players playing at least 25 minutes per contest. Guard Aniya Rowe leads the team with averages of 10.8 points, 2.9 assists and 2.1 steals per game. Forward Meg Lucas (8.9 ppg) leads the conference and ranks 22nd nationally with 10.3 rebounds per game. Guard Deana Thompson adds 7.2 points per contest.
Series History
• Kent State is 36-24 all-time vs. Buffalo.
• A 76-70 loss in Buffalo last February ended a six-game winning streak for the Golden Flashes.
• Kent State is 13-12 all-time in meetings played inside of Alumni Arena.
• The Flashes were beaten in 10 consecutive trips to Buffalo from 2012-22.
• Kent State 10-12 under head coach Todd Starkey.
Broadcast Info
Paul Peck and Matt Mattis will call the action on ESPN+, while Cam Manna will be on the call on the Kent State Radio Network.
Next Up for Kent State
The Golden Flashes will be back on the road at Toledo on Wednesday, Jan. 28.
KSU Travel Network
Fans looking to save on travel while supporting the Golden Flashes this year can use the Blue and Gold Travel Network to save on flights and hotels while giving back to Kent State student-athletes by booking at BlueAndGoldTravelNetwork.com.
Follow Kent State Women's Basketball
For complete coverage of Kent State Women's Basketball, download the official Kent State Golden Flashes app (iOS, Android) and follow the Golden Flashes on social media on X, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates.
