Kent State University
Ohio
Golden Flashes Back in MAC Play Saturday at Ohio
2/13/2026 12:25:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Kent State begins the final stretch of the regular season on Saturday with a 1 p.m. road contest against Ohio.
The Golden Flashes (11-12, 5-6 MAC) return to the court for the first time since a 68-63 victory over App State in a MAC-Sun Belt Challenge matchup last Saturday. Kent State dominated the first 19 minutes of action but allowed the Mountaineers to score the final four point in the first half to get within nine at halftime. Offensive struggles to start each of the final two periods resulted in the Flashes trailing by five with 7:12 remaining, and a 13-0 run was needed to secure the victory. Journey Hildebrand led the way with a season-high 17 points and grabbed career-high eight rebounds. Tatiana Thomas stuffed the stat sheet with 12 points, nine rebounds, career-high seven steals and three assists.
Junior Mya Babbitt is the third leading scorer in the MAC at 16.9 points per game and is the only player in the league with three performances of at least 28 points. Babbitt is fourth in the conference with 51 three-point field goals. Juniors Riley Rismiller (8.6 ppg) and Tatiana Thomas (7.3 ppg) provide low post options. Rismiller has three double-doubles and Thomas is grabbing 5.8 boards per conference contest. Senior Dionna Gray (6.4 ppg) is fourth in the MAC in assists with 5.2 per game.
Scouting Ohio
The Bobcats (14-9, 8-4 MAC) are one of the most improved teams the MAC and have doubled their win total in conference play from a season ago. Ohio ranks in the top 20 nationally in three-point field goals per game (9.7), steals per game (12.2) and turnovers forced per game (21.7).
Guard Bailey Tabeling leads the team with averages of 13.6 points, 3.0 assists and 2.4 steals per contest. Tabeling ranks second in the conference with 54 three-pointers and has shot 43.3% from behind the arc during league play. Guard Bella Ranallo is the only other double-digit scorer at 11.5 points per contest. The Bobcats have seven additional players averaging at least five points and lead the MAC in bench scoring (25.6 ppg).
Series History
• Kent State is 61-36 all-time vs. Ohio.
• The Golden Flashes have won six of the last seven matchups and are 10-8 vs. Ohio under head coach Todd Starkey.
• Kent State is 20-25 in trips to Athens, including just two victories over the past 10 visits.
• The Flashes have made a single-game program record 16 three-pointers twice against the Bobcats — last season in Athens and during the 2020-21 campaign in Kent.
Broadcast Info
Gabe Genovesi and Candace Allen will call the action on ESPN+, Cam Manna will be on the call on the Kent State Radio Network.
Next Up for Kent State
The Golden Flashes will host Northern Illinois for the annual Play4Kay game on Wednesday, Feb. 18.
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.
