Kent State University
4-19, 2-10MAC
Northern Illinois University
10-12, 6-6MAC
Last-Second Shot Seals 54-52 Win for Golden Flashes
2/14/2015 4:12:00 PM | Women's Basketball
KENT, Ohio – Kent State (4-19, 2-10) showered its fans with love on Saturday as the team did not give in and won an exciting game on a last-second shot by Melanee Stubbs to beat Northern Illinois 54-52.
Despite leading for nearly 28 minutes of the contest, Kent State could not get ahead by more than seven and Northern Illinois kept things interesting by forcing six lead changes and fighting until the end to set up late-game heroics.
The Golden Flashes jumped out to a 5-0 lead at the start and stayed ahead until the Huskies tied things at twelve. Montia Johnson then made a layup to spark an 8-2 run to put the Flashes back in front en route to a 22-17 lead at halftime.
Northern Illinois scored first out of the break but Kent State was able to answer and keep the lead. That lead lasted until the 8:56 mark when the Huskies snuck ahead by a point, 36-35, to force a timeout.
The two teams traded buckets and Northern Illinois was able to stay slightly in front but Kent State was not done yet, as they grabbed the lead back 50-48 with 55 seconds left to play on free throws by Mikell Chinn.
It was then the Huskies' turn to make a free throw and bring the game within a point as the time waned down to 32 seconds. A layup by NIU then gave them a one-point advantage as time was cut in half, with now just 16 seconds left in the game.
Chinn would again go to the line and put the Flashes back on top with two successful free throws. The game looked to be decided at the charity stripe, as the Huskies were given the shot at the lead as they went to the line with seven seconds remaining.
Northern Illinois only could connect on one of its chances, which tied the game at 52 and put the ball in Kent State's hands.
Melanee Stubbs was able to play the role of hero for the second time this season as the senior sunk the game-winner to give the Flashes the 54-52 victory.
The Golden Flashes outshot the Huskies 43.5% to 37.2% in the game and outrebounded them by a large majority, 38-19. Kent State made 12 of its 15 free-throw attempts, with many coming late in the game, to capitalize on the clutch performances.
CiCi Shannon led with a double-double, collecting an even 11 points and 11 rebounds. Jordan Korinek also reached double-digits with ten points. Chinn had a nice game with six points, six rebounds and five assists. All six points came at the charity stripe as she was perfect in six attempts.
The Golden Flashes will be on the road for their next two games. They play Wednesday at Buffalo and Saturday at Bowling Green before returning home to face Akron on Feb. 25.
