Kent State University
3-18 (1-9)
Ohio University
18-3 (9-1)
Strong Defensive Effort Falls Short at Ohio
2/7/2015 9:44:00 PM | Women's Basketball
ATHENS, Ohio – Kent State (3-18, 1-9) held the top team in the conference to 13 points below its season average, but Ohio (18-3, 9-1) was able to slip away with the lead at the end with a 58-44 victory at the Convocation Center Saturday night.
The Golden Flashes got off to an early lead by sinking three of their first five shots whereas the Bobcats started off cold, only making one of five shots from three-point range.
Ohio was able to get into the game eventually, as Kent State hit a five-minute scoring drought that allowed the home team to go on an11-0 run. Kent State ended that run and took the lead back after Larissa Lurken sank her second three of the night and took an offensive foul on the other end to lead going into the final media break at 22-21.
Down by one in the waning minute of the first, Melanee Stubbs sank a jumper to give the Golden Flashes a 25-23 lead at the break. Kent State was able to get in front thanks to 48% shooting while holding Ohio to 26%.
The game remained a tight race in the second half until Ohio went on an 8-0 run to force Kent State to call a timeout with ten minutes left to play. The Bobcats led 43-35 at that point.
That run grew to 12-0 before Kent State was able to stifle it with four minutes remaining. However the Bobcats lead was too big to overcome, as the home team was able to stay atop the Mid-American Conference with the 58-44 win.
Kent State ended up shooting 45% in the game and won the rebound battle 34-28. Both teams made 18 shots from the floor, but 11 of Ohio's came from beyond the arc while Kent State made just two from deep.
Stubbs had twelve points on the night while CiCi Shannon had a double-double with ten points and 12 rebounds. She also added in three blocks. Mikell Chinn had five assists and two steals off the bench for the Golden Flashes.
Kent State returns to the M.A.C. Center for two games in the coming week: Wednesday at 7 p.m. versus Miami and Saturday at 2 p.m. versus Northern Illinois. Tickets for both events can be purchased by calling 330-672-2244.
