Preview: Akron Looks to Snap Skid Against Rival Kent State

KENT, Ohio (Interstat) — The Mid-American Conference women’s basketball rivalry between Akron and Kent State resumes Saturday when the Golden Flashes host the Zips at the Memorial Athletics Center.

Kent State (7-10, 2-2 MAC) enters with momentum after a 71-68 home victory over Ohio on Wednesday. The Golden Flashes have won two straight conference games following an 0-2 start in league play.

Akron (3-14, 0-4) seeks its first MAC win amid a six-game losing streak. The Zips are coming off an 82-68 loss at Massachusetts on Wednesday.

The Golden Flashes are led by sophomore guard Emory Klatt, who is averaging 12.0 points in MAC contests. She scored a team-high 17 points in the win over Ohio. Guard Mya Babbitt (18 points) and point guard Dionna Gray, who dished out 12 assists, were also pivotal in the victory.

The Zips will rely on forward Ni’Rah Clark, who is coming off a career performance. Clark scored 25 points and grabbed seven rebounds in the loss at UMass. She has averaged 14.3 points over her last three games.

Kent State holds a distinct advantage in recent conference performance and at home, where they are 5-3 this season. Akron has struggled on the road, with an 0-9 record away from home. The Zips’ three wins this season came against non-Division I opponent Heidelberg and lower-tier Division I programs Geneva and Le Moyne.

This is the first of two scheduled meetings between the rivals this season. They will meet again at Akron on Feb. 21.

Following this game, Kent State travels to face Buffalo on Jan. 24. Akron returns home to host Central Michigan on Jan. 21.

Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. EST Saturday.