Kent State University
Akron
Women’s Hoops to Visit Rival Zips at Noon Saturday
2/20/2026 1:14:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Kent State is scheduled for back-to-back road contests, beginning Saturday against rival Akron. Tip inside of James A. Rhodes Arena is slated for noon.
The Golden Flashes (12-13, 6-7 MAC) have won three of the last four after grinding out a 70-67 victory over Northern Illinois on Wednesday. Kent State rallied from an 11-point deficit midway through the third quarter and won for just the second time this season when trailing at halftime. Tatiana Thomas and Journey Hildebrand combined for 19 points during the Flashes' 35-21 run over the game's final 15 minutes. Riley Rismiller used her size advantage around the basket and led the way with 16 points. Thomas (15) and Hildebrand (14) were right behind in the scoring column, while Thomas added seven rebounds and three blocked shots.
Junior Mya Babbitt is the third leading scorer in the MAC at 16.5 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 54 three-point field goals. Juniors Riley Rismiller (8.9 ppg) and Tatiana Thomas (7.4 ppg) provide low post options. Rismiller has three double-doubles and Thomas is grabbing 5.6 boards per conference contest. Senior Dionna Gray (6.2 ppg) is third in the MAC in assists with 5.3 per game.
Scouting Akron
The Zips (7-19, 4-9 MAC) have won four of their last five conference games and beat Ohio, 108-105, in double overtime on Wednesday for their fifth home victory of the season. Akron made a school record 20 three-point shots, which is tied for the second most by a Division I team this season, against the Bobcats.
Forward Ni'rah Clark is the top scorer at 12.6 points per game and adds 5.5 rebounds per game. Guard Shaena Brew (11.2 ppg, 4.1 apg) and guard/forward Monique Mitchell is (9.8 ppg) are among the most productive freshman duos in the MAC. Guard/forward Keiryn McGuff (9.5 ppg) grabs a team-best 6.3 rebounds per game.
Series History
• Kent State owns a 63-18 all-time record in the rivalry.
• The Golden Flashes have won seven in a row in the series for the longest streak since being victorious in the first 18 meetings of the 21st century.
• Kent State is 28-12 all-time at Akron.
• The Flashes are 15-3 against the Zips under head coach Todd Starkey.
Broadcast Info
Michael Reghi and Jeff Phelps will call the action on ESPN+, while Cam Manna will be on the call on the Fox Sports 1350 AM.
Next Up for Kent State
The Golden Flashes will travel to UMass for the first time since the Minutewomen joined the conference for a matchup on Wednesday, Feb. 25.
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