Kent State women's basketball plays host to Western Michigan in MAC contest

Staff report
·2 min read

The game: Kent State vs. Western Michigan, 2 p.m. Saturday at the MAC.

TV/Radio: ESPN+3/850 ESPN Cleveland.

Kent State guard Casey Santoro puts up a shot while Eastern Michigan guard Lachelle Austin goes in to defend during an NCAA basketball game on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at the Kent State M.A.C. Center.
Kent State guard Casey Santoro puts up a shot while Eastern Michigan guard Lachelle Austin goes in to defend during an NCAA basketball game on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at the Kent State M.A.C. Center.

Records: Kent State is 12-6 overall and 4-3 in the MAC after defeating Northern Illinois 82-61 on Wednesday. Western Michigan is 9-9, 4-3, following a 63-51 loss to Eastern Michigan on Wednesday. That snapped a four-game winning streak for the Broncos.

The coaches: Todd Starkey is 113-83 in his 7th season at Kent State and 278-178 overall. Shane Clipfell is 157-165 in 11 seasons at Western Michigan and 170-177 in 12 seasons overall.

Series history: Kent State leads 34-28 but has lost the last two meetings, both on the road. The Flashes won 75-63 on March 11, 2020 at the MAC.

Kent State lineup: Projected starters are 5-11 Sr. Katie Shumate (9.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.1 assists per game); 6-2 Gr. Lindsay Thall (12.1, 3.6, 1.4); 5-4 Jr. Casey Santoro (8.4, 3.0, 1.7); 5-7 Fr. Corynne Hauser (10.2, 2.6, 3.2), and 5-10 Gr. Hannah Young (6.4, 5.0, 0.6).

WMU lineup: Projected starters are 6-2 Jr. Taylor Williams (14.9 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 1.0 apg); 6-0 Sr. Abby Voss (5.2, 2.7, 0.3); 6-0 Jr. Hannah Spitzley (7.6, 4.8, 1.1); 5-8 Sr. Maddie Watters (5.4, 1.4, 1.6), and 5-7 Jr. Gabi Saxman (2.3, 1.6, 2.7).

Notes: The Broncos’ leading scorer, Lauren Ross (21.7 ppg) and second-leading rebounder (4.8) suffered a knee injury against Buffalo last weekend and is lost for the season. She was leading the MAC in scoring and was ranked eighth nationally. … The Flashes earned their biggest road win in seven years at NIU. Casey Santoro led KSU with 13 points, eight rebounds and four assists. … Linsey Thall led all scorers with 26 points, making 9-of-13 shots, including 5-of-9 on 3-pointers. … The Flashes held NIU to .297 shooting (19-of-64).

Next: Kent State visits Akron at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Kent State women's basketball home to Western Michigan on Saturday