Women's Basketball Fends Off Western Michigan, 79-68
2/5/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State women's basketball team (16-6, 7-3 MAC) made good on a season-high 35 free throws, including a 15-of-16 effort by senior Taisja Jones (Dallas, Texas) as the Golden Flashes held off Western Michigan Saturday evening at the M.A.C. Center, 79-68.
Jones finished with a game-high 29 points, while senior Jamilah Humes (Saginaw, Mich.) added 15 points. Senior Stephanie Gibson (North Canton, Ohio), a 94 percent free throw shooter this season, went 8-of-8 at the line to finish with 11 points.
Western Michigan (6-16, 2-7) were led by Taylor Manley's 23 points, with 15 points coming after halftime. Ebony Cleary added 15 points while reserve Miame Giden chipped in 12 points.
Kent State held a 40-28 lead at the half as balanced scoring aided the Flashes. Eight players found the scoring column in the stanza.
To start the second half, however, the Golden Flashes couldn't find their range and fired 1-of-7 from the field. That, coupled with Manley's eight points in the first five minutes of the stanza, helped Western Michigan pull within one, 45-44.
Kent State's Jones drilled a three-pointer to end the streak, and with five straight points, the senior forward gave the Flashes a six-point advantage. From there, Kent State kept Western Michigan at an arm's distance as the Broncos never got closer than seven points in the game's final 9:32.
The Broncos was whistled for 31 fouls, the most by any Kent State opponent this season.
Kent State's 35 made free throws ranks tied for fourth-most in team single-game records. Over the last two games at home, Kent State was a combined 67-of-79 from the free throw line for an impressive 84.8 percent. Alone, Jones was 33-of-37 at the stripe during the same span.
The Golden Flashes' hot free throw shooting made up for tepid shooting from the field (19-of-52) and three-point range (6-of-22). Kent State posted the statistical advantage over the Broncos in rebounds, assists, steals, turnovers and blocks.
The Golden Flashes conclude MAC-West action Saturday, Feb. 12 when Kent State travels to Central Michigan for a 4 p.m. tilt.
