Kent State University
3-16, 1-7MAC
University of Akron
16-4, 6-3MAC
Classic Rivalry Game Falls Away from Flashes, 74-67
1/31/2015 4:27:00 PM | Women's Basketball
AKRON, Ohio – The Kent State-Akron rivalry came center court Saturday afternoon in a classic battle for half of a PNC Wagon Wheel Challenge point.
Seven ties, 14 lead changes and bodies hitting the floor all came together to result in a 74-67 Akron victory in the final minutes of the game.
"We learned a lot today about what a rivalry atmosphere feels like," said Head Coach Danielle O'Banion. "Overall, I'm very encouraged by our young team and how we're growing up over these last couple of weeks. We are really eager to keep knocking and to break through."
At the start, the Golden Flashes had the game notched at seven and nine points before the Zips got in front, though never more than by a field goal. Kent State then held Akron scoreless for more than six minutes to take a three-point lead at the final media break of the first half.
With 5.2 seconds left before the half, Akron called a timeout down by one. On the ensuing play, Larissa Lurken went down on the court hard and was called for the foul, much to the dismay of the Kent State bench. Akron sunk both shots at the line to lead 28-27 at halftime.
A 48% shooting performance fueled Kent State while the team held Akron to just 32.4%. The Zips had success in the opening twenty minutes by grabbing seven offensive rebounds to score seven second-chance points.
The Flashes came out of the break strong, as CiCi Shannon converted an old-fashioned three-point play and Naddiyah Cross drained a dagger from deep to put the visitors up by five. But the Zips would not go away and went on a run of their own to take back the slight 37-34 lead by the under-16 media break.
No one was able to get comfortably ahead in the game as a one, two or three-point lead continually changed hands on nearly every possession.
With just under four minutes left to play, Akron was able to get in front by five. A three and a layup a few minutes later gave them a 67-59 lead with 2:32 on the clock, forcing Kent State to call a timeout.
That deficit was one the Golden Flashes could not recover from as the Zips went on to take the game and half of the PNC Wagon Wheel point.
Kent State shot 49% in the game and totaled 31 rebounds to Akron's 34. 15 of the Zips' rebounds came on the offensive end, giving them 15 second-chance points.
Jordan Korinek had a career night by scoring a team-high 18. Lurken and McKenna Stephens both netted ten. Shannon continued to be a presence on the boards with 11 rebounds.
Kent State returns home Wednesday night when they host Eastern Michigan at 7 p.m. Tickets are available by calling 330-672-2244.
