Over the last three games, the Kent State women’s basketball team has limited its opponents to an average of 58 points.
Wednesday, Ball State (25-4, 14-2) was the fifth Mid-American Conference opponent to score 70 or more points, defeating KSU 75-71.
“We struggled a little bit tonight with the physicality, and this was just practice for us,” redshirt senior guard Katie Shumate said. “We’re going to get more practice on Saturday against Toledo.
“We need to be able to play through contact, be strong and try to force our will on people and be the aggressor.”
During the game, 29 fouls were called, and during the Jan. 31 57-46 loss to the Cardinals, 30 fouls were called.
“I thought this game was probably a lot more entertaining to watch than the first one,” coach Todd Starkey said. “I would say that the first game was probably more physical than this one. Even so, I think we’re a better team now than we were at that point in the season. I think we’ve continued to improve.”
KSU (18-9, 13-4) committed nine turnovers against a BSU defense that forces 20 per game. Unfortunately, the Cardinals were able to convert that into 16 points.
This was Shumate’s last home game in her Kent State career. She led the Flashes with 16 points and nine rebounds.
“Kent State has been fortunate to have Katie here for five years,” Starkey said. “It’s her last game on this court, and I’m really proud to have been her coach. We have more to do, but she has literally left parts of her body out there on the court over the last five years.
“The way she’s handled herself at Kent State University as a student-athlete is second to none.”
Kent State held a 30-16 advantage in bench scoring led by freshman forward Janae Tyler and sophomore forward Tatiana Thomas.
Tyler had 12 points and seven rebounds. Thomas had seven points and three rebounds.
“Janae has continued to mature and grow as a player, and she’s going be really good for us moving forward,” Starkey said.
The Cardinals took the lead into double digits less than two minutes into the third quarter and held the Flashes to a 1 of 14 start from the field.
Kent State then made three shots in a row to get within six, but in the final seconds, Ball State sank a triple to make it 56-47, heading into the fourth quarter.
After falling behind by 14 points, Shumate knows similar situations could arise in the MAC Tournament, beginning March 13 inside Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
“We’re going to be in situations in the tournament, and this is perfect practice for that,” Shumate said. “Keep fighting, playing together and just thinking about the next play and not worrying about what just happened.”
Shumate scored seven points during the fourth quarter, bringing the Flashes to within 72-69 with two minutes remaining in the game.
However, KSU could not complete the comeback, converting on one of three shots from the floor as the BSU sunk 3 of 4 free throws to end the game.
Shumate (16 points) and Batsch (8 points) led the Flashes, combined for 24 points on 10-of-37 shooting.
Tyler led all bench players with 12 points — her 10th game with 10 or more points.
Next up, the Flashes will travel to Toledo to play the Rockets on Saturday at 2 p.m. for their regular season finale.
Kent State has lost the last six times it has played Toledo. In the previous matchup, the Rockets defeated KSU 87-76 on Jan. 17.
“This team has continued to get better and continue to improve. And I think we’re close to where we need to be for Cleveland,” Starkey said. “ This is great preparation for us for going to Toledo this weekend and then the conference tournament where things really get real and matter the most.”
Emily Lowen is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].
