Blistering First Half Pace Downs Niagara 69-46

Wednesday, December 4

Kent, Ohio

5:00 PM

Kent State University

3-5

Niagara University

1-5

Team	1	2	F
Niagara	15	31	46
Kent State	40	29	69

Photo by: David Dermer

Blistering First Half Pace Downs Niagara 69-46

12/4/2013 8:17:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

KENT, Ohio – A 28-4 run to end the first half solidified a big 69-46 victory for Kent State (3-5) to start off their home stand Wednesday night (Dec. 4) against Niagara (1-5).

The win is the first back-to-back victory for the Golden Flashes since January of the 2011-12 season and is the biggest win margin since December 1, 2010. It also is the third notch in the victory column this season, already matching last year's win total; last season, the team's first win did not come until December 6.

Kent State's defense stifled Niagara in the first half and the Flashes' two senior guards, Ashley Evans and Amber Dunlap, stepped up their game to take a dominating 40-15 lead into the intermission, each supplying ten points. The Purple Eagles were held to just 28% shooting from the floor in the opening 20 minutes. Kent State also handled the ball and the boards, committing just four turnovers and grabbing 27 rebounds in the first half alone.

Niagara adjusted some after the break, but could only bring their deficit to 14 points with 10:35 remaining as Kent State then went on a 9-0 run to finish off the Purple Eagles for good.

The Golden Flashes continued to find success in the paint, scoring 30 from close-range compared to just 16 points from the Purple Eagles. They also had a great contribution from the reserves with a total of 29 bench points.

Perhaps the biggest areas of improvement came for the Golden Flashes in rebounding and turnovers. They grabbed a season-high 46 rebounds and committed a season-low nine turnovers, 12 less than their season average. 23 of their points in the game came off of Niagara turnovers. The team also reached a season-high in assists with 13.

Evans ended the game with a team-high 15 points, her biggest offensive output this season. Montia Johnson posted her fourth double-double this year with 11 points and ten boards. CiCi Shannon led the team with a career-high 11 rebounds. Cheylene Harper also netted her highest point total as a Golden Flash with ten points in 13 minutes on the floor. Dunlap also finished with ten points on the night with four assists.

Kent State will look to continue their winning ways this Sunday (Dec. 8) as they host Georgia State at noon in the M.A.C. Center. Tickets for the game and the rest of the home season are available at kentstatesports.com or by calling the ticket office at 330-672-2244.