Four Flashes Finish In Double Figures As Kent State Women's Basketball Muscles Past Buffalo
1/19/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Team's best offensive effort of the season sparked by career nights by three Golden Flashes.
KENT, Ohio -- The Kent State women's basketball team watched a late double-digit lead evaporate into a tough loss to a Mid-American Conference East Division foe just five days ago. The young but steadily maturing and improving squad was not about to let history repeat itself Thursday (Jan. 19) at the M.A.C. Center.
Kent State shot a season-best 53.4% from the field and dished out a season-high 26 assists to power the squad to an 85-73 victory over Buffalo.
"It was a very good offensive performance for us," said 23rd-year head coach Bob Lindsay. "Our scoring distribution was good, and we shot it and executed well. When you execute better, your number of team assists improve. We're an improved group."
The Golden Flashes (3-12, 2-3 MAC) received double-digit scoring efforts from four starters. Junior guard Trisha Krewson (Sandusky, Ohio) led the charge, knocking down five threes to help accumulate a career-high 26 points and seven assists in addition to hauling in a game-high eight rebounds. She reached double figures for the 10th time in 2011-12 and seventh time in the last 10 games. Junior forward Diamon Beckford (Upper Darby, Pa.) totaled a career-best 23 points -- including three treys -- and piled up seven boards. She has reached double figures in scoring six times this season -- including in four of Kent State's last six games. Junior guard Tamzin Barroilhet (Sainte Maxime, France) totaled 19 points and added six assists. She has hit the double-digit mark in three of the last four games. Freshman guard Jamie Hutcheson (Ancaster, Ontario) nailed three buckets from behind the arc and matched her career high with 13 points. Freshman guard Itziar Llobet (Sant Cugat de Valles, Spain) handed out a career-high eight assists to propel the balanced offensive attack.
"We've been working really hard in practice, so it feels great to get the win the way we did," said Krewson. "We were all meshing well together, getting the right looks and knocking down shots."
Kent State kept pace with Buffalo (5-14, 0-5 MAC) by shooting 50% from the field and receiving 11 points from Beckford and 10 from Krewson in the opening 20 minutes. The Bulls built a seven-point lead -- their largest of the game – at 19-12 with 13:39 to play in the half. Beckford pulled Kent State within one by converting back-to-back threes. The two squads traded baskets over the ensuing five minutes. With Buffalo leading 28-25 with 8:26 remaining until halftime, Kent State rattled off a 7-0 run thanks to a jumper by Llobet, another three by Beckford and a jumper by Barroilhet to take a 32-28 lead. Buffalo countered with a mini run of its own by scoring the next five points. The Flashes and Bulls kept trading buckets over the remaining five minutes of the half, with Buffalo going into the break with a 41-38 advantage.
The first 10 minutes of the second half played out much like the first half, until, trailing 62-61 with 10:27 remaining, the Golden Flashes kicked the door in. Kent State went on a 17-3 run highlighted by two layups by Barroilhet and Beckford, a layup by Llobet and a trey from Krewson to put the Flashes up 77-65 with 4:29 to play. Kent State iced the win by limiting the Bulls to just eight more points and knocking down six free throws. The Flashes shot 57% over the final 20 minutes of play.
Senior guard Brittney Hedderson led Buffalo with 26 points. Classmate Teresa Semalulu added 14 points to join her in double figures.
Kent State plays host to Central Michigan Sunday (Jan. 22) at the M.A.C. Center in its first of six straight games against MAC West teams. Opening tip is scheduled for 2 p.m. Fans will once again have the opportunity to participate in the always intense Basketball Bingo during the game. Tickets start at just $5. For more information contact the Kent State Athletics Ticket Office at (330) 672-2244.
