Anna Kowalska, Kent State women’s basketball junior, goes up for a shot against two Miami RedHawks players in the first half of the game Saturday in the MAC Center. The Golden Flashes lost 64-59. TRACY TUCHOLSKI DAILY KENT STATER

Credit: DKS Editors

The Kent State women’s basketball team (4-10, 1-1 Mid-American Conference) will have its hands full tonight at the M.A.C. Center when it attempts to end Bowling Green’s five-game winning streak.

Bowling Green currently sits atop the M.A.C. standings at 2-0 after double-digit victories against Akron and Ohio. The team holds a 13-3 overall record, building on the success of last year’s Sweet 16 team, which ranked 15th in the nation at the end of the season, the highest finish in conference history.

The Falcons have gone undefeated on the road in MAC East play since 2005, when they lost to Kent State 62-53. Bowling Green has made three consecutive NCAA tournament appearances.

The Flashes will look to junior center Anna Kowalska in an effort to control the play in the post. She received the honor of being named this week’s MAC East Conference Player of the Week for her efforts in an overtime win at Ohio and a home loss to Miami.

Kowalska looks to add to her total of six double-doubles for the year tonight.

She currently averages 17.2 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game, third, second and first in the Conference in those respective categories.

Lindsay said even though Kowalska won the award, she should still be able to improve throughout the season.

“I think she’s still learning the game and what’s expected of her at this level,” Lindsay said. “I think once she learns all of that she can be a better player than where she is right now.”

Kowalska earned the award once previously season after posting consecutive double-doubles against Northern Arizona and Rhode Island last month.

She said playing center in the MAC can be a rough job.

“It’s difficult, especially when they double team some times,” Kowalska said. “I try my best, I guess.”

The Flashe’s talented center will likely spend her time battling Bowling Green’s sophomore center Tara Breske, who averages 9.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.

The Falcons also bring a lot of talent to the floor, including possibly the most talented set of guards in the MAC. Senior guard Kate Achter and freshman guard Lauren Prochaska both average more than 14 points per game.

The Falcons also bring the ability to shoot the deep ball – as Prochaska has hit 33 three-pointers this season and junior guard Lindsey Goldsberry has contributed 28. In contrast, Kent State has 45 three-pointers as a team, 16 less than Prochaska and Gibson’s two player combined total.

Lindsay said the team needs to improve on the game it lost 64-59 to Miami Saturday, in which the Flashes turned the ball over 30 times, but still led at halftime 33-31.

“We need to defend their perimeter players and be able to take care of the ball,” Lindsay said. “You’re not going to beat anybody with 30 turnovers.”

Contact women’s basketball reporter Thomas Gallick

at [email protected].