Kent State University
3-12 (0-5MAC)
Eastern Michigan University
12-4 (3-2MAC)
Spirited Effort Falls Short at Eastern Michigan
1/16/2016 6:55:00 PM | Women's Basketball
YPSILANTI, Mich. – Kent State (3-12, 0-5) battled Eastern Michigan (12-4, 3-2) for the majority of Saturday's contest, but a fourth quarter slump resulted in a 72-51 loss. EMU outscored KSU 23-6 in the final ten minutes that began as a four-point game.
The Eagles came out and made five of their first six shots on the day, including two from three-point range to take a 13-5 lead at the game's first media break. Eastern Michigan applied full-court pressure from there on to go up 22-10 by then end of the first quarter.
The Golden Flashes switched over the momentum and went on a 7-0 run to start the second, thanks to a Jordan Korinek jumper, McKenna Stephens layup and a Larissa Lurken three. It quickly became a three-point game, forcing the Eagles' bench to call a timeout.
Eastern Michigan was held to just 12 points in the second quarter while Stephens sunk a three right before the buzzer to make it a 34-30 game at halftime, Eagles in front.
Kent State got within two in the third as Korinek made a jumper and Lurken grabbed a steal on the other end. Down four at the media timeout, Keziah Lewis got nothing but net on a shot from deep to make it a one-point game. Chelsi Watson then did work inside the paint to give the Golden Flashes their first lead of the night, 41-40, with less than four minutes to play in the third.
The third finished as the second did, with a three-point shot rimming around and in, this one for the Eagles as they led 49-45 with ten minutes remaining.
To begin the final quarter, Eastern Michigan hit two daggers and forced a turnover in-between to extend its lead. Those two shots turned in to an 11-0 run for the Eagles as they went on to take the victory on home court.
Kent State had 22 turnovers that resulted in 28 Eagles points while Eastern Michigan won the rebound battle 34-31. The Golden Flashes' defense held the Eagles' high-scorer scoreless in the game.
Korinek led the team with 16 points and eight rebounds. Lewis, Stephens and Tyra James all finished with seven points. James added in seven rebounds and two steals.
The team will return home to the M.A.C. Center on Wednesday night to take on conference-leading Ohio who is undefeated in MAC play. The game is set to begin at 7 p.m.
