After winning four games in a row, the Flashes are entering the final stretch of a schedule that includes five games on the road. The winning streak has placed Kent State at second place in the Mid-American Conference East Division.

As the MAC Tournament approaches, every game is critical for the Flashes, but here are a few that stand out.

Tonight at 7 p.m. against Toledo (17-4, 7-1 MAC):

The Rockets have won nine of their last ten, including a 66-63 victory over Bowling Green. Senior forward Tanika Mays, the defending MAC Player of the Week, is averaging 15.7 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. Mays led the way against the Falcons, posting 20 points and five rebounds and is an integral part of the best shooting offense in the conference.

Sat. Feb. 6 at Eastern Michigan (15-5, 5-3 MAC):

The Eagles are currently second in the MAC West and rank in the top three scoring offense and scoring defense. Sophomore guard Tavelyn James’s conference-leading 21 points per game and junior forward Kristin Thomas’s 7.9 rebounds highlight the Eagles’ attack. Eastern Michigan has struggled as of late after recent losses to Akron and Bowling Green, but the team’s dynamic offensive attack makes them a threat to every team in the conference.

Wed. Feb. 24 against Akron (12-9, 6-2 MAC):

During the first rivalry matchup of the season, Kent State junior forward Taisja Jones scored 23 points, but it wasn’t enough to take down the Zips. Akron shot 54 percent from the field in the second half, while junior forward Kara Murphy paced the Zips’ offense with 16 points. The Flashes hold a 44-6 all-time advantage over the Zips, but Akron has won two of the past three meetings.

Sat, Feb. 27 at Bowling Green (17-5, 7-1 MAC):

Despite losing to Toledo on Jan. 30, the Falcons have won eight of their last 10 games. Junior guard Lauren Prochaska, the defending MAC Player of the Year, is leading Bowling Green with 17 points per game. The Flashes were outplayed in the two teams’ first meeting as the Falcons outrebounded and outworked Kent State to a 89-61 victory.

E-mail: Contact sports reporter Lance Lysowski at [email protected].