Kent State will host Western Michigan at the M.A.C. Center Thursday night at 7 p.m. with hopes of getting their second MAC win after beating Ohio Sunday.

The Flashes (3-18, 1-7 Mid-American Conference) came back from 16 points down in a second half thriller to beat the Bobcats and snap a seven-game losing streak.

Flashes coach Danielle O’Banion has no doubt that her team will see success in February.

“We have made it a heavy point of emphasis that February is our month, and so there is no question that starting the month with a win is exactly what we needed to do,” she said.

Western Michigan (6-15, 2-6 MAC) is currently riding a three-game losing streak coming into Thursday’s game as the second-to-last team in the MAC West. The Broncos were able to beat both Akron and Northern Illinois, but have not been able to secure a win since.

Junior guard Corie Buchanan is averaging 8.1 points per game, but tends to struggle against conference opponents. The Broncos’ solid scoring threat, sophomore forward Marquisha Harris, is averaging 11.8 points against conference opponents.

Western Michigan ranks eighth in the MAC, shooting 36.9 percent, but Kent State is not far behind with 34.6 percent from the field. The Flashes however pull in more defensive rebounds and have a better percentage from the free throw line.

Kent State is currently ranked fourth in the MAC with a free throw percentage of 70. All players have been attacking the hoop, looking for better shots and a trip to the free throw line.

Senior guard Tamzin Barroilhet believes that the positive momentum is going to transfer into positive play against Western Michigan. Barroilhet is averaging 10.2 points per game, as well as grabbing seven rebounds per game, good enough for sixth in the conference in rebounding.

Sunday against Ohio, she played 38 minutes to lead Kent State with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

“We cant be satisfied with just having one win — we have to go into the next game knowing that it’s a different team, look at them neutrally and attack them from the start,” Barroilhet said. “Hopefully we will be able to protect our home court for the next couple games.”

Looking forward, the Flashes have a busy month with Northern Illinois coming to the M.A.C. Center on Sunday and an away game against red-hot Toledo on Feb. 16.

Tip off for Thursday’s game is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Contact Meghan Blaha at [email protected].