Kent State University
1-0
Colgate University
0-1
15-0 Third Quarter Run Leads Flashes to Season-Opening Win
11/15/2015 4:41:00 PM | Women's Basketball
KENT, Ohio – Kent State opened up the 2015-16 season with a 76-71 victory over Colgate, thanks in big part to a 15-0 run to start the third period on Sunday afternoon.
The first two quarters were back-and-forth affairs, with the game being tied at eight, 17 and 25. Winding down into halftime, the game became tied once again at 29 with two minutes remaining and then again at 31 as the teams took to the locker room at the break.
The Golden Flashes came out of the locker room reenergized with a 15-0 run that lasted well into the third quarter, as they led 56-42 heading in to the final ten minutes of the contest.
Jordan Korinek began the scoring streak by hitting two free throws. A block by Tyra James on the other end gave Kent State the ball back as Naddiyah Cross laid in a shot before Larissa Lurken hit a three. Cross then collected a steal and fed James for another two points. Baskets from Keziah Lewis and Alexa Golden rounded out the stretch.
The Raiders battled back in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter, going on an 11-1 run to bring the game within a single digit lead with 1:32 left to play. However, Kent State had too large a hold on the game at that point and rode the final seconds out to a 76-71 victory.
Lurken scored a career-high 23 points with six rebounds and two steals. James had a big debut, scoring 17 and grabbing six rebounds also. Korinek finished just shy of a double-double with 12 points and eight rebounds. Freshman Golden also had an impressive Kent State debut with ten points and three steals.
The Golden Flashes' defense forced 25 turnovers, scoring 23 points off of them. They shot 19-for-31 from the charity stripe while the Raiders were only able to get to the free-throw line four times in the game. Kent State was, however, outrebounded 52-41.
The team will make a quick turnaround before hosting Wright State in an early 11 a.m. game this Tuesday, November 17. Tickets are available by visiting kentstatesports.com or by calling the ticket office at 330-672-2244.
