Kent State University
3-8, (0-1MAC)
Central Michigan University
7-5, (1-0MAC)
Kent State Drops MAC Opener 81-61 at Central Michigan
1/2/2016 2:57:00 PM | Women's Basketball
MT. PLEASANT, Mich. – In the Mid-American Conference opener, Kent State (3-8, 0-1) was unable to keep Central Michigan (7-5, 1-0) close, dropping the first conference game by a score of 81-61.
The Golden Flashes took a little longer than the Chippewas to warm up, as they netted their first field goal three minutes in after missing their first four, while the Chippewas made three of their first five attempts, including one from the perimeter.
Down four at the game's first media break, Larissa Lurken hit a three to bring the lead closer. Tyra James made a runner in traffic just before the buzzer to make it a 19-16 Chippewas lead at the end of the first quarter.
In the second half, Alexa Golden hit Kent State's third three-pointer of the contest to make it a 26-23 game, and field goals on both ends made it 28-25 at the 2nd quarter media break. A turnover on the home end allowed Golden to hit a three on the other end to tie the game at 28. Central Michigan was able to break the tie and take a 37-30 lead into the locker room at the half.
The Golden Flashes had heated up at that point to shoot 50% from the field while making five threes. Ten turnovers compared to just five from the Chippewas was the biggest difference in the game through the opening twenty minutes.
To start the third quarter, Kent State could not connect in its first three possessions, until Jordan Korinek was able to make free throws in two trips to the foul line, enabling the Chippewas to gain a 16-point lead halfway through the period. Lurken finally broke the Flashes' field goal drought with a three with 4:29 on the clock in the third.
Entering the final ten minutes up 58-42, CMU kept its momentum going, pulling out an 81-61 victory.
Both teams made seven three-pointers in the game while the Chippewas won the rebound battle 42-34 and turned the ball over just ten times in the contest compared to the Golden Flashes' 16.
James had a strong day with a team-high 14 points along with four rebounds and a team-best four assists. Lurken finished with 11 points while Korinek had ten and eight rebounds.
Kent State remains on the road to face another MAC West opponent at Toledo on Wednesday night.
