Kent State's women's basketball team lost to No. 2 seed Notre Dame in the NCAA Tournament first round, ending their season with a 21-11 record. Redshirt senior Katie Shumate impressed with a double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds in her record-breaking 143rd game for Kent State.

The Big Picture

The defeat marked Kent State's return to the NCAA Tournament after nearly two decades, highlighting the team's progress and achievement in reaching this stage.

By the Numbers
  • Kent State finished the game with a total of 67 points.
  • Katie Shumate concluded her career with 1,857 points and 848 rebounds for Kent State.
  • Janae Tyler scored 18 points against Notre Dame, her highest against a Division I opponent.
State of Play
  • Kent State led 5-4 early on before Notre Dame surged ahead with a 17-point lead.
  • Despite strong efforts from Shumate and Tyler, Notre Dame's 63.2% shooting in the second quarter extended their lead to 49-30 by halftime.
  • A resilient Kent State minimized the deficit in the second half but ultimately fell short after Notre Dame's decisive run late in the game.
Bottom Line

Kent State's loss to Notre Dame in the NCAA Tournament first round showcases their competitive spirit and the impressive performances of players like Katie Shumate, underlining a strong season for the team despite the defeat.