Kent State Tops Buffalo on Senior Day, 72-52
2/19/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State women's basketball team (18-7, 9-4 Mid-American Conference) picked up a key home win Saturday afternoon at the M.A.C. Center, as senior Taisja Jones (Dallas, Texas) poured in a game-high 26 points, aided by a career-best 5-of-5 shooting from three-point range in Kent State's 72-52 win over Buffalo.
Jones' perfection from long range is tied for second-best in team history, trailing only Kathy Carroll's 6-of-6 day against Ohio in 1994. It was also the first time this season any Kent State player had more than three three-pointers in a game.
Joining Jones in double figures was classmate Jamilah Humes (Saginaw, Mich.), who had 15 points to go with game-bests of nine assists and six steals. Senior Ellie Shields (Warren, Ohio) added 10 points for the Flashes. Jones just missed a double-double of her own with nine rebounds.
The Golden Flashes bounded out to a 39-20 halftime lead thanks to a 19-6 run over the final eight minutes of the first half. After Buffalo was within four, 20-16, Jones and Humes paired for a 12-0 run – a pair of threes by Jones and two layups and a pair of free throws for Humes – to ignite the run.
Buffalo (13-13, 6-7) cut the game to 10 points with a 10-0 run in the second half, but Jones' fifth three-pointer of the day answered the run. The Bulls would again nip at the deficit and were within nine, 52-43, with just under seven minutes to play.
Kent State would not let Buffalo get any closer, as timely three-pointers by seniors Chenel Harris (Mississauga, Ontario) and Stephanie Gibson (North Canton, Ohio) took the wind out of the Bulls. Buffalo mustered just one field goal in the final four minutes of the game.
For the second straight game and third time this season, Kent State never trailed in the contest.
Buffalo was paced by Kourtney Brown's 18 points and 15 rebounds. Jessica Fortman was the lone other player in double figures for the Bulls with 10 points.
With the victory, Kent State remains in the hunt for a top four seed in the upcoming MAC Tournament, which guarantees a bye into the quarterfinal round. The Flashes are currently tied with MAC-West teams Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan with 9-4 records.
Kent State concludes its regular season home schedule Wednesday, Feb. 23 when the Golden Flashes host Ohio at 7 p.m. The game is part of a week-long breast cancer awareness event for Kent State athletics, which will also include home events for gymnastics and men's basketball.
