With only three games remaining in the regular season, the Kent State women’s basketball team is attempting to record a few wins, starting with Miami on Thursday in Oxford, Ohio.

Kent State (3-23, 1-12 Mid American Conference) is riding a 5-game losing streak after coming off a tough loss to rival Akron. With three conference games coming up, a win streak could mean a small jump in conference standings.

Miami (16-10, 8-5 MAC) was victorious against the Flashes when they came to the M.A.C. Center at the end of January. Though Kent State was able to keep up with them through some of the first half, the Flashes struggled to make shots, only shooting 28 percent from the field as the RedHawks won easily, 76-48.

After much improved play against Akron, the Flashes are hoping to carry the same effort with them to Oxford.

“We need to focus on ourselves on Thursday,” Flashes senior guard Trisha Krewson said. “We are playing Miami, and they are a good basketball team, but if we focus on ourselves then we will have a positive outcome.”

The RedHawks currently hold the top spot in the MAC in field goal percentage, averaging nearly 45 percent. Kent State will need to buckle down on defense to stop Miami from getting to the hoop.

The Flashes were able to limit Miami standout Courtney Osborn, who is averaging 18.5 points per game, to only nine points in their last meeting. Kent State sophomore guard Jamie Hutcheson played tough defense on the guard to limit her possessions.

Senior guard Tamzin Barroilhet has led the Flashes for the majority of the season, including against Miami, scoring nine points and grabbing six rebounds. As her time on the floor continues to increase, she is well aware of what her team needs to do.

“[The Flashes need to] come in with a lot of energy and focus on the game plan,” Barroilhet said. “Paying attention to the scouting report is going be important.”

Kent State head coach Danielle O’Banion is pleased with how the team is improving as the season ends.

“I thought we played Miami tough here,” O’Banion said. “It got away from us late, but I thought we had a basketball game on our hands, so I’m excited to go to Oxford.”

With a road trip to Buffalo Sunday and the conclusion of the regular season against Bowling Green Wednesday, Kent State can pick up key conference wins to gain momentum going into the conference tournament.

“We still have basketball left to play,” O’Banion said. “And the truth is we are still getting better.”

Meghan Blaha is the women’s basketball reporter for the Daily Kent Stater. Contact Meghan Blaha at [email protected].