Two teams coming off of blowout losses to Mid-American Conference powerhouse Bowling Green meet in Akron Saturday to continue conference play.

The Kent State women’s basketball team (4-11, 1-2 MAC) travels to the James A. Rhodes Arena to do battle with the rival Akron Zips.

The Flashes lost 90-64 to Mid-American Conference opponent Bowling Green Wednesday and allowed 16 3-pointers. One week earlier, the Falcons dismantled the Zips’ defense in a similar fashion, hitting 10 3-pointers and winning 88-56.

Akron, 0-3 in the MAC and 5-12 overall, presents an opportunity for the Flashes to return to .500 in conference play.

Junior guard Asheley Harkins, one of three Kent State players to score in double figures Wednesday, said the team needs to work on its mistakes in order to gain focus after the tough loss to Bowling Green.

“We just get back into practice and try to correct some of the things we continue to do wrong on a regular basis,” Harkins said. “We just need to get better at the little stuff.”

Kent State also needs its other double-digit scorers from Wednesday, junior center Anna Kowalska and freshman forward Chenel Harris, to show up against the Zips.

After giving up 30 turnovers in a 64-59 loss to Miami and 41 points off turnovers to Bowling Green, coach Bob Lindsay said an obvious problem for the team is controlling the ball. He said he cannot see a solution to the turnover woes that have been plaguing the team throughout conference play.

“I wish I had an answer,” Lindsay said. “The only thing we can do is go out and work on situations, on recognition and some of the reasons why we turn the ball over. We’re very careless with the ball.”

Lindsay said whether the team regains its composure against Akron depends on how well it practices.

“I think you have two choices when you come into the gym the next day,” Lindsay said. “You either come in there prepared to make yourselves better somehow or you don’t.”

On a positive note for the Flashes, Lindsay is 31-1 all-time against the Zips.

Akron has lost to Bowling Green, Buffalo and Miami this season in MAC Conference play. The Flashes single conference win was an overtime victory at Ohio, a team Akron plays Jan. 30.

The Flashes and Zips met twice last year, resulting in two Kent State routes. Kent State won the first game 79-47 at Akron and the second game 88-58 at home.

Contact Sports Reporter Thomas Gallick at [email protected].