Kent State University
3-5
Bradley University
4-4
Lurken Nets Career High, Though Team Falls 68-60 at Bradley
12/8/2015 10:35:00 PM | Women's Basketball
PEORIA, Ill. – Larissa Lurken netted a career-best 25 points Tuesday night, but it was not enough to push Kent State (3-5) past Bradley (4-4) in the 68-60 defeat.
The two teams were tied 6-6 at the first media break of the game, just five minutes in, until the Golden Flashes got ahead to lead 12-10 at the end of the first quarter. The Braves shot just 27.8% in the opening period as the Golden Flashes dominated the boards early on but turned the ball over nine times in the opening ten minutes.
Three's from both ends of the court kept the game close into the second quarter, as Bradley edged out ahead 20-19 with 4:41 on the clock until halftime. The home time sunk three-straight shots from beyond the arc to close out the first half with a 31-24 advantage.
That lead would grow to ten by the third quarter media timeout. It increased to 13 points, 55-42, by the end of the third quarter.
A 3:30 scoring drought from the Flashes was extinguished with Naddiyah Cross connecting on two free throws as the game neared the halfway point of the final quarter. The Braves then went cold for more than three minutes of their own, as the lead dropped back down to ten. A 6-0 run brought the Golden Flashes within six points of the lead as the Braves were forced to call a timeout with 1:05 remaining in the game.
However, once the final minute of the game slowed down and Bradley was sent to the line, they connected on their free-throws, making 7-of-10 in the waning minute to take the game 68-60.
Kent State handled the boards with a 44-30 rebound advantage. 24 turnovers harmed the team as they led Bradley to 20 points.
Lurken led all players on the court with her 25 points. Cross was the only other Golden Flash to reach double figures with ten. Lurken and Tyra James shared the team lead with seven rebounds each.
The team will make the short trip to Youngstown State on Saturday for a 12 p.m. matchup.
