KENT, Ohio - Junior forward Lindsay Shearer (Minerva, Ohio/Minerva) registered her second double-double of the season with 21 points and 10 rebounds and keyed a 16-4 second half run that propelled the Kent State University womens basketball team to a 78-62 victory over MAC East rival Marshall University this afternoon (Jan. 8) at the M.A.C. Center.
After a first-half marred by poor shooting by both teams, the Golden Flashes (8-5, 1-1 MAC) hit their first six three-point attempts of the second half to break open what was a one-point game at halftime.
Kent State was held to 22 points in the first half before exploding for 56 in the second half, the most in a half since the 2001-02 season.
I thought our defense came out and played pretty well today, head coach Bob Lindsay said. We had four kids in double figures which was nice to see also. With a team like Marshall, were able to battle quickness with quickness which helps us. I thought we matched up well with them and this was just a good win for us. I thought we played with a lot of heart.
The Flashes shot a frigid 28 percent in the first half, but heated up in the second, shooting 61 percent from the field and a blazing 70 percent (7-of-10) from 3-point range. Shearer connected on three treys for the second time this year.
Tiffany LaFleur (So., Scarborough, Ontario/Mother Teresa), who made her first career start, scored a career-high 10 points to go with six boards, two blocks and one assist in 29 minutes of play.
Her presence in there was a factor in the game, Lindsay said. The kid is a physical presence. She matched up well with (MUs front line) and she held her own out there. I dont expect her to go out and shoot 80 percent, but she does some other things like block shots and rebound and alter shots. I like what she did today.
(LaFleur) played big today, Shearer said. We knew we were going to need her with the matchup with (Modupe) Ishola. She did a great job playing good defense and staying out of foul trouble and helping us on offense a little bit. Its a step in the right direction for her.
Kent State led by as much as eight points in the first half, but foul trouble haunted the Flashes as Shearer, Melissa DeGrate (Sr., Amarillo, Texas) and Willoughby all picked up two fouls and had to sit the majority of the first half, allowing Marshall to close the gap to one point at halftime, 22-21.
DeGrate recorded 18 points, five boards and three steals before fouling out. Kerrie James (So., Mississauga, Ontario/Power) played a career-high 34 minutes and finished with a career-best 11 points, including two 3-pointers, and four assists and drained back-to-back 3-pointers in the second half to help the Flashes extend its second half lead.
Marshalls Sikeetha Shepard-Hall led all scorers with 25 points and seven rebounds and was a perfect 10-of-10 from the stripe. Crystal Champion finished with 12 points and a career-high 18 boards.
The Flashes return to the hardwood next Wednesday, Jan. 12 when they travel to Mount Pleasant, Mich. for a 7 p.m. showdown with the Central Michigan Chippewas.
Notes: Kent State scored 56 points in the second half, the most points in a half since KSU scored 57 points in the first half in a 96-86 win over Howard Dec. 28, 2001 in Gainsville, Fla. ... Kent State is now 12-4 in MAC home openers under Bob Lindsay and 23-7 overall ... KSU now leads the all-time series with Marshall, 15-5 ... with the win, Bob Lindsay needs just five more wins to reach 300 career-victories ... Tiffany LaFleur had career-highs in points (10), field goals (5) and minutes (29) and made her first career start ... KSU scored 19 points off 17 MU turnovers ... Kerrie James had career-highs in points (11) and field goals (4) ... KSU is 8-0 this year when shooting better than its opponent, 7-1 when scoring at least 60 points and 5-0 when they eclipse 70 ... the game was slowed by 49 fouls and 56 free throw attempts.
