Kent State women’s basketball defeated Ball State 65-50 on Friday, advancing them to the championship game for the first time since 2006.
“We have 40 more minutes to play, and we have a big goal in front of us,” coach Todd Starkey said. “I know our team is going to give everything that we have in that 40 minutes tomorrow to try and get our ultimate goal of the NCAA tournament.”
Junior forward Bridget Dunn and redshirt senior guard Katie Shumate each grabbed double-doubles.
“My mindset has always been to be physical and aggressive,” Shumate said. “I just know that at the end of those plays, I can say that I did all that I could to get a second possession, and that’s good for our team.”
Dunn scored a game-high 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting. Shumate finished with 12 points and a career-high 14 rebounds.
“I’ve been watching it for five years. That kid has as much heart and as much toughness as any player I’ve ever coached; that’s why she’s a good rebounder,” Starkey said about Shumate’s play.
The Flashes outscored Ball State in the paint 44-16.
“Some of the numbers are kind of surprising to me because of how good Ball State is in the interior,” Starkey said. “I thought our interior passing and our cutting off the ball was as good as I’ve seen in my eight years at Kent State.”
The Cardinals jumped out to a quick 5-2 lead; however, they were held scoreless over the final seven minutes of the quarter – KSU led 14-5 at the end of the first quarter.
Kent State led 33-24 at halftime, as KSU connected on 8-of-14 of its shots during the second quarter.
During the first 20 minutes, the Flashes outrebounded Ball State 27-10 and recorded 10 second chance points – BSU had zero.
During the third quarter, Kent State continued its dominance inside, scoring 18 points in the paint. Freshman forward Janae Tyler scored seven points, and KSU took a 52-39 lead into the final quarter.
KSU’s defense held the Cardinal offense scoreless for the final 4:35 as they punched its ticket to the title match.
Tyler scored 16 points off the bench. Junior forward Jenna Batsch scored 10 points and had a career-high five assists.
As a team, KSU shot 45% from the field and 5-of-10 from deep. Kent State outscored BSU 44-16 inside the paint and won the rebound battle 50-17.
Ball State shot 32% from the field while going 8-of-30 from three.
Kent State will play No. 4 seed Buffalo in the championship game Saturday at 11 a.m. in Cleveland, Ohio.
Kent State has won the last four times they have played Buffalo.
The Flashes are seeking their first tournament championship since 2002, the longest active streak for all teams in the MAC.
UB and KSU each have three tournament championships – all three for Buffalo have come since 2016.
“We have a big goal in front of us, and I know Buffalo does, too,” Starkey said. “They’re going to fight like crazy as well, but I know our team is going to give everything that we have in that 40 minutes tomorrow to try and get our ultimate goal and get to the NCAA tournament.”
Emily Lowen is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].
