Womens Basketball Falls Short to Northwestern State, 78-74
12/29/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The Golden Flashes had their chances late in the game. Trailing by only three, 75-72, with 3:27 remaining, KSU shot themselves in the foot as they committed five turnovers in the final three minutes. Missed free throws haunted Kent State the entire game as they made just 4-of-12 in the first half and shot 59 percent (16-of-27) for the game.
Hot shooting by the Lady Demons didnt make things any easier for the Flashes as NSU shot nearly 50 percent for the game and 47 percent from behind the arc.
After trailing by as much as 13 in the second half, Melissa DeGrate hit a 3-pointer with 5:26 left to pull the Flashes within two, 67-65. Malika Willoughby then picked up a personal and technical foul on NSUs next trip down the floor, fouling out with 5:18 left. The Lady Demons would hit all four free throws to go back up, 71-65.
Lindsay Shearer finished with a team-high 16 points, five rebounds and four assists to lead the Flashes offensively. Andrea Csaszar was her dominate self inside, scoring 10 of her 14 points in the second half and grabbing a career-high 20 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season. Csaszar also recorded five assists, two blocks and three steals.
The Golden Flashes appeared to be in command of the game early on as they raced to a 26-19 lead with eight minutes left in the first. However, cold free throw shooting let NSU back in the game and allowed the Lady Demons to take a 43-40 lead at the break. Heather Harris and Shearer combined for 26 first half points (13 each) but were limited to just three points the rest of the way.
DeGrate finished with a season-high 14 points including three 3-pointers. Harris shot 5-of-9 from the field, including two from long range for 13 points. Christi Shibata had a season-high seven points, Willoughby finished with five points and career-high 10 assists while Mallorie Griffith and Kacie Vavrek both added three and two points, respectively, to round out the scoring for Kent State.
Chassidy Jones shot 9-of-13 from the field and led all scorers with 21 points. LaTerrica Dobin and Amanda Bennett scored 18 and 19 points, respectively.
No. 20 Auburn defeated Alabama A&M in the first game, 95-28, meaning Kent State will face Alabama A&M in the consolation game Tuesday at 1 p.m. CST.
Notes: Andrea Csaszar grabbed a career-high 20 rebounds â?¦ Melissa DeGrate had a season-high 14 points â?¦ Malika Willoughby recorded a career-high 10 assists â?¦ Kent State outrebounded NSU, 46-31 â?¦ 74 points is the highest scoring output of the season for Kent State â?¦ Kent State recorded a season-high 10 3-pointers and shot the ball a season-high 64 times â?¦ Kent State has now recorded a three-pointer in 24-consecutive games dating back to last season.
