Barroilhet, Flashes look to extend recent winning streak against Ohio

Lance Lysowski

Junior guard Jamilah Humes’s dominant play is leading the way for the Kent State women’s basketball team’s best start in recent memory, but an unknown first-year player is turning heads around the Mid-American Conference.

Guard Tamzin Barroilhet, a native of France who sat her freshman season because of NCAA regulations, played a pivotal role in Saturday night’s come-from-behind victory at Buffalo.

Barroilhet played the entire second half and recorded nine points with her ability to score inside and on the perimeter. She was one of three players whose shot from behind the arc helped a 15-0 run to sink the Bulls in the Flashes’ second conference game.

The 6-foot sophomore is averaging 8.7 points per game with only one start on this season, but her offensive prowess off the bench adds to the MAC’s fourth-best scoring offense.

While Barroilhet and the Flashes are 6-0 at home this season, they have dropped two of their last three games on the road. Kent State (11-3, 2-0 MAC) is looking to extend its winning streak to three Wednesday night when they take on Ohio at 7 p.m.

The Bobcats, at the bottom of the MAC East Division, with an inability to score on offense, have an issue. Ohio is averaging a conference-low of 53 points per game and sits in last in the MAC with a 34 percent field goal percentage.

Ohio (4-11, 0-2 MAC) junior guard Tenishia Benson is the Bobcats’ primary scoring threat; averaging 14.1 points per game. Benson recorded nine points in Ohio’s loss at Akron on Saturday.

Although the Bobcats finished with an 8-22 record last season, the Flashes only won both contests by a combined ten points. While Kent State’s offense ranks first in the conference and are coming off an impressive win over Buffalo, they will not overlook Ohio’s aggressive defensive play.

Benson is averaging close to three steals per game, while senior forward Kamille Buckner blocked five shots against the Zips on Saturday.

Wednesday’s game marks the 67th game in the all-time series between the schools with Kent State winning four of the last six contests.

Contact Lance Lysowski at [email protected].