Ohio (7-16, 4-8 Mid-American Conference) has hit a winning drought. After having eclipsed its previous season’s win total of six in just their 18th game of the current season, the team has dropped five consecutive games, entering an ill-timed stretch against some of the MAC’s top contenders.
Ohio has played first-placed Ball State twice, fourth-placed Buffalo and fifth-placed Bowling Green once – with another matchup against Buffalo looming on Saturday – and now see themselves staring down third-placed Kent State (15-7, 10-2 MAC) on Wednesday.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the matchup:
Game Information
Opponent: Kent State
Location: The Convocation Center (Athens, Ohio)
Time: 7 p.m. on Wednesday
Where to Watch: ESPN+
Follow live stats here.
Meet the Opponent
Head Coach: Todd Starkey (eighth season)
Projected Starters
#12 Jenna Batsch
#14 Katie Shumate
#15 Bridget Dunn
#21 Dionna Gray
#30 Mikala Morris
Statistical Leaders
Points: Shumate (14.2 per game)
Rebounds: Shumate (6.9 per game)
Assists: Corynne Hauser (4.2 per game)
Steals: Abby Ogle (1.5 per game)
Blocks: Batsch (0.7 per game)
Field Goal Percentage: Janae Tyler (.557)
Three-Point Percentage: Hauser (.366)
Free Throw Percentage: Dionna Gray (.926)
Kent State Notes
The Golden Flashes have seen a dominant season in the MAC, and if not for the Cardinals and Rockets, they would be sitting atop the conference by a very comfortable margin. Kent State wins with depth. While the Golden Flashes only have two players in double-digit points per game with Shumate and Batsch, they play eight players over 12 minutes per game, giving them an array of lineups they can throw at opponents.
Kent State also wins with pace. Kent State routinely outshoots its opponents, limiting turnovers and fouls while getting those shots up. On the other hand, the team is not the best shooting team from the perimeter. Although Kent State ranks top 107 in the nation in three-point attempts per game, the team’s season percentage of 30% flat is far short of spectacular.
Ohio will have to play above the level it has displayed on offense if it wants to steal a win.
Player to Watch: Katie Shumate
Shumate is an incredibly versatile player, who leads Kent State offensively and factors in greatly on defense. At 5 feet, 11 inches, she is an imposing guard who can dominate on the boards if not planned for. On the season, she has not shot it well from three, but if she gets hot, it adds another layer to the Golden Flashes’ offense.
