Kent is 12-7 (5-2), Miami is 11-6 (4-3). Big game for us. Kent beat us badly in Oxford last year, then won the MAC tournament and lost to Notre Dame in the NCAA tourney. Their star player last year, 5 year starting wing Katey Shumate, is the daughter of first year Miami assistant JR Shumate. She won’t be playing as she finally used up her eligibility.
Kent leads the league in points per game, Miami gives up the fewest points per game. Kent is the league leader in rebounding, Miami is at the top of the forced turnovers and steals stats.
Kent often plays zone, which we have not faced much. They are big inside and skilled on the outside. They rotate two sophomores at Center. 6-4 Riley Rismiller is from Coldwater who plays in the high school MAC ( New Bremen is in that) and powerful 6-1 Janae Tyler. Their power forward, 6-3 SR Bridgett Dunn, is 4th in the nation in defensive rebounds and leads the MAC with over 10 rpg. She is a 3 point shooter. Their small forward 6-2 Sr Jenna Batch averages 15ppg and 4.5 apg, probably their best player. 5-8 guard Mya Babbit averages 12.6 ppg and leads the MAC in threes with 48 total. 5-4 JR guard Dionna Grey averages 8.5points and 4.4 apg.
This is the 100th meeting of the two teams with Kent holding a slight 51-48 edge plus they have won 7 of the last 9. This game is a good measuring stick for us. This is Coach Todd Starkey’s 9th year at Kent and recently he became their all time winningest coach. This is one of the teams we need to climb over to get to the top of the MAC.
The number of posts in this thread compares to the absolutely terrible attendance numbers yesterday. Attendance was something in the 300 's and Kent had probably 150 of those. We had in the 200’s on Wednesday night. Sad
Kent’s two Senior stars played very well. 6-2 wing Jenna Batch had 19 points and 6-3 power forward Bridgett Dunn had 13 points and 13 rebounds and hit 3 out of 4 threes. In comparison Miami hit the same 3 threes but that was out of 18. In fact, if you check out the stats, the only real difference in the two teams was that Kent made 7 of 15 on threes to Miami’s 3 of 18.
Kent took the lead early and were up 13 at the end of the first quarter. We spent the rest of the game chasing. In the second quarter at one point we got it down to two. Kent got it back up to 13 in the third quarter and again we cut it to two. However, with 8 minutes to go we had 3 starters on the floor with 4 fouls each.
Kent gradually pulled away then.
All MAC teams are aware of Gonzalez now and each has a plan to give special attention to her. Other girls are not able to take advantage consistently. Enjulina leads the MAC in 3 point FG% but has not made any the last 2 games and she only tried one Saturday. She did however use her other skills to get several jumpers and driving layups and went 7 for 10 with 17 points. She made very good choices. Amber had a double double, but went 0 for 4 on open 3’s. Maya had 18 points but took 16 shots to get them, so not very efficient. Tamar faced a point guard who was also 5-4, strong, and very fast. Both girls had 4 fouls by early 4th quarter as I think they frustrated each other.
Another tough game coming up Wednesday at Toledo (13-5). After that we get the two bottom teams in the league in Ohio and Eastern Michigan.