Kent State Hosts Unbeaten Buffalo Sunday for CBS Sports Network Matchup – Kent State Golden Flashes

In a rematch of the 2024 Mid-American Conference Tournament championship game, Kent State and undefeated Buffalo will play on the national stage at the M.A.C. Center in a battle scheduled for 2 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.

The Golden Flashes (8-5, 1-0 MAC) maintained hold as the nation’s most accurate free throw-shooting team by going 11-of-12 at the foul line over the final 1:43 to prevent visiting Bowling Green from finishing a late comeback effort and earn an 81-71 victory in the conference opener on Wednesday. Senior Jenna Batsch led a balanced scoring effort with 15 points. Four additional players reached double-figures, with two more adding nine points apiece.

Preseason All-MAC First Team selection Jenna Batsch (14.2 ppg, 4.1 apg) is the only player in the conference averaging at least 14 points, four assists and one steal per game. Bridget Dunn (7.4 ppg) ranks sixth in the nation in defensive rebounding (8.8 drpg) and 17th overall in rebounds per game (10.3). Mya Babbitt (12.5 ppg) leads the MAC with 32 three-pointers and has made 41.6% of attempts from beyond the arc. Dionna Gray averages 11.6 points and 4.9 assists per game while leading Kent State to a 6-2 record in games played this season. Riley Rismiller, a transfer from Dayton, has made an immediate impact with a MAC-best 54.1% field goal percentage and averages of 10.9 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.

Scouting Buffalo

The Bulls (12-0, 1-0 MAC) are one of seven remaining undefeated Division I teams and own a 25.0-point average margin of victory. Buffalo ranks in the top-25 nationally in free throws made per game (17.58), turnover margin (+8.75), field goal percentage defense (.349) and assists per game (18.1).

All-MAC guard Chellia Watson is second-leading scorer in the MAC at 19.3 points per game and has posted seven 20-point performances this season. Kirsten Lewis-Williams (12.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg) and Alexis Davis (10.6 ppg, 8.1 rpg) have taken on larger roles during their sophomore campaign and the Bulls on the glass. Transfers Terah Harness (11.6 ppg) and Noelani Cornfield (9.1 ppg, 5.8 apg) have also been regulars in the starting lineup.

Series History

• Kent State is 35-23 all-time vs. Buffalo and has won five straight in the series.

• This matches the Golden Flashes’ longest winning streak in the series since being victorious in each of the first 19 games between the programs from 1999-2007.

• Kent State went 3-0 against the Bulls last season, which included a 78-60 victory in the MAC Tournament championship game.

• The Flashes are 9-11 under head coach Todd Starkey.

Broadcast Info

Matt Shepard and Jacki Windon will call the action on CBS Sports Network, while Dane Richardson will have the call on ESPN Cleveland and the Kent State Radio Network. 

Next Up for Kent State

The Golden Flashes will hit the road for the next two contests, visiting Toledo on Wednesday, Jan. 8 and Ohio on Saturday, Jan. 11.

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