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Amani Burke (3) drives to the basket against Kent State in the Convocation Center Saturday. (MATT STARKEY | FILE)

Women's Basketball: Kent State scouting report and how to watch

Ohio climbs deeper into its Mid-American Conference schedule when it welcomes Kent State to The Convo on Wednesday. The Bobcats are coming off a 90-75 win over Ball State, thanks to a career-high performance from point guard Erica Johnson. The Golden Flashes are on a seven-game winning streak. 

Game information 

Opponent:  Kent State (10-4 Overall, 3-0 Mid-American conference) 

Gametime: 7 p.m.

Place: The Convo (Athens, Ohio) 

Where to watch: ESPN3

How to listen: Ohio IMG Sports Network

Meet the opponent 

Starters 

31 Megan Carter (5-7) 

3 Asiah Dingle (5-4)

23 Ali Poole (6-0)

44 Lindsey Thall (6-2)

24 Alexa Golden (5-9)

Reserves 

22 Merissa Barber-Smith (6-4)

32 Hannah Young (5-10)

5 Mariah Modkins (5-1)

15 Sydney Brinlee  (6-0)

Individual stats leaders 

Points per game: Carter (15.0)

Rebounds per game: Barber-Smith (6.7)

Steals: Golden (28)

Field goal percentage: Barber-Smith (.457)

3-point percentage: Golden (.412)

Free throw percentage: Golden (.889)

Team stats

Points per game: 67.3

Rebounds per game: 38.5

Steals per game: 8.6

Field goal percentage: .382

3-point percentage: .343

Free throw percentage: .738

Series history 

Ohio trails the all-time series to Kent State, 53-32, but Ohio has won the last two meetings. The last time they faced each other was last February in Athens when Ohio held off a late Kent State comeback to win 79-78. 

Coach Bob Boldon is 7-3 against the Golden Flashes, and 2-2 against Kent State coach Todd Starkey. 

Players to watch for 

For Ohio, Johnson is coming off her best game of the year. In the win against Ball State, Johnson had a career high 24 points and paired it with nine assists and five rebounds. In conference play, teams can scout their opposition better since there’s history, but this will be the first time Kent State has ever played Johnson. The 5-foot-11 point guard’s offensive versatility could give Kent State problems. 

Kent State doesn’t have one all-around star, but they do have players who do single things very well. Guard Megan Carter is Kent State’s top scorer and she’s tenth in the MAC in points per game (15.0). The tallest player on the court will be the Golden Flashes’ Merissa Barber-Smith. At 6-foot-4 the Bobcats may struggle battling against her for rebounds, and on the defensive end, freshman Lindsey Thall leads the MAC in blocks per game with 1.7.

What an Ohio win means?

If Ohio wins on Wednesday it will enter a tie for first place in the MAC East with Kent State. Because Ohio has already defeated MAC East favorite Buffalo, the Bobcats will be seen as the team to beat in the division. 

What an Ohio loss means?

If Ohio loses on Wednesday, Kent State will remain in first place of the MAC East and the Bobcats risk sinking to the near bottom of the standings. It’s still early in conference play but with so many tough games still remaining on their schedule, Ohio can’t risk losing home games and an opportunity to gain control of the division. 

@JL_Kirven

jk810916@ohio.edu

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