Kent State's season ends with MAC women's basketball tourney first-round loss to Miami

The Golden Flashes finish their season 15-17 after a second-half rally fell short at Rocket Arena.

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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Kent State's season came to an end Monday at Rocket Arena as the Golden Flashes fell to top-seeded Miami, 65-58, in the first round of the MAC tournament despite mounting a spirited second-half comeback. The eighth-seeded Golden Flashes finished their campaign with a 15-17 record, while Miami improved to 27-6 and advanced to the quarterfinals.

Why it matters

The loss marks the end of Kent State's women's basketball season, which saw the team struggle to a 15-17 record despite a strong second-half rally against the top-seeded Miami RedHawks. The game highlights the competitive nature of the MAC tournament and the challenges faced by smaller programs like Kent State in competing against powerhouses.

The details

Kent State faced an uphill battle from the opening tip, falling behind 25-15 after the first quarter and trailing by 14 points at halftime, 36-22. But the Golden Flashes found their footing in the third period, outscoring Miami 20-11 to cut the deficit to five points heading into the final quarter. The rally continued in the fourth quarter when Anna Campanelli's layup with 46 seconds remaining pulled Kent State within six points at 62-56, but Miami closed out the game by converting three of six free throws in the final 45 seconds to preserve the victory.

  • The game was played on Monday, March 11, 2026.
  • Kent State finished their season with a 15-17 record.

The players

Mya Babbitt

Led Kent State with a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Tatiana Thomas

Contributed 10 points for Kent State.

Emory Klatt

Provided a spark off the bench with 10 points for Kent State.

Corynne Hauser

Added 9 points for Kent State before fouling out late in the game.

Riley Rismiller

Anchored the defensive effort for Kent State with 8 rebounds.

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What’s next

The loss marks the end of Kent State's women's basketball season. Miami will advance to the quarterfinals of the MAC tournament to face the winner between Central Michigan and Ohio.

The takeaway

Despite a spirited second-half comeback, Kent State's season came to an end with a first-round loss in the MAC tournament. The Golden Flashes struggled with their shooting throughout the game, but their strong rebounding and bench production kept them in the contest until the final minutes. The loss highlights the challenges faced by smaller programs in competing against the top teams in the conference.