Kent State University
3-7
Brown University
9-1
Flashes fall 62-57 to Brown in back-and-forth battle
12/22/2015 4:26:00 PM | Women's Basketball
KENT, Ohio – Kent State closed the non-conference portion of its schedule with a 62-57 loss in a back-and-forth battle with Brown University on Tuesday afternoon at the M.A.C. Center.
The Golden Flashes took a 35-29 lead at halftime thanks to an impressive all-around performance, then watched Brown battle back in the second half behind Rebecca Musgrove, who led all scorers with 23 points.
Larissa Lurken paced KSU with 17 points, including a three-pointer just before the third-quarter buzzer to give the Flashes a slim 45-44 advantage heading into the final 10 minutes. Another Lurken three with 3:18 slowed Brown's fast start to the fourth quarter and kept the KSU within striking distance, down just 56-53.
Brown guard Jordin Alexander scored eight of her 15 points in the game's final 4:14 to help Brown create some breathing room down the stretch.
"I thought Brown did a good job of getting their best scorers the basketball," said KSU head coach Danielle O'Banion. "I thought the difference was they started screening the bottom part of our zone and our recognition was challenged some. You have to tip your hat to their grey-haired players like Jordin Alexander…That's what you do at the end of a close game. You give the ball to your best players."
KSU dominated the first-half box score, leading 22-14 in rebounding and outscoring Brown 16-8 in the paint while shooting 47 percent from the field (4-for-10 from three-point range) compared to just 39 percent by the Bears.
Brown improved to 48.3 percent shooting after halftime (14-for-29). Musgrove played a big part in that recovery, going 5-for-7 from the field after a 3-for-8 first half. The junior guard was 5-of-9 from three-point range.
Jordan Korinek played a big role in Kent State's impressive start, scoring 12 of her 14 points before the break and converting six of her first eight shots form the field. The sophomore post also added a game-high 14 rebounds in 33 minutes. Brown adjusted its defense in the second half, allowing Korinek just three field goal attempts in the final 20 minutes.
Brown's defense held Kent State to 28.1-percent shooting in the second half (9-for-32). The Bears also outscored KSU 11-3 off of turnovers after halftime.
"Jordan Korinek continues of really blossom," said O'Banion. "We collectively need to do a better job, whether a team is playing zone or man-to-man, of making sure she gets many more touches, especially in the second half. That's the beauty of having the next 10 days to get ready to go over to Central Michigan to start Mid-American Conference play (Jan. 2).
"There is certainly something to build on from this game…We have a lot of teaching film to watch and share with their players. They deserve the next few days off with their families.
McKenna Stephens added 11 points and seven rebounds in 22 minutes for Kent State. Her floater from the baseline with 1:18 to play kept Kent State in the hunt, trailing by just three points before two Alexander jumpers in the final minute clinched the win for Brown.
