Kent State University
2-1
Robert Morris University
3-1
Flashes Battle Into Overtime But Fall By Three to Robert Morris
11/19/2016 5:23:00 PM | Women's Basketball
KENT, Ohio – Kent State (2-1) battled Robert Morris (3-1) in a 68-65 overtime defeat despite never leading the game and only being tied one time in the game.
Down five with 27 seconds left in regulation, the Golden Flashes tied the game and then had a good look at a three with the seconds winding down in overtime, but could not come up with the victory.
The Colonials were able to jump ahead to an early 9-2 lead to start the game before a three from Naddiyah Cross and a charge taken by Larissa Lurken on the other end got some momentum going for the Flashes.
In the closing minutes of the first quarter, Robert Morris capitalized on two turnovers and a three pointer to go up ten, 26-16.
Despite the Colonials being able to get up by as much as 15 points in the second quarter, the Flashes worked to get their visitors into foul trouble and made up some distance at the line. A three from Lurken with two minutes to play before the break made it a 35-28 game. A half-court lob sunk by Naddiyah Cross at the buzzer had Robert Morris up 39-32 at halftime.
Cross connected on a layup to start the second half that gave Kent State a swing in its favor, bringing the lead to within five points. A Lurken layup on a pass from Cross made it a four-point game with 4:38 to play in the third. However, Robert Morris was able to string together a seven-point run to close out the third quarter with a 52-41 lead.
Then the Golden Flashes, with a boisterous crowd behind them, went on a seven-point run of their own, as Jordan Korinek drained a shot from beyond the arc to make it a 56-51 game with five minutes to go. After a Colonials timeout, Lurken was good for two buckets to bring the lead to within three points with 2:35 left on the clock.
An impressive five-point spurt in the final 27 seconds of regulation tied the game for the first time on the day as the Flashes were not ready to give in. Lurken had a steal and was fouled to go to the line for two, making one of her two shots. Seven seconds later, she stole another possession, was fouled, and this time made both her shots at the stripe to make it a two point game. As Robert Morris dribbled in the back court as their offense set up, Cross swiped the ball away and was fouled. At the line, she sunk both her shots with 16 seconds on the clock to tie the contest at 60. The Colonials missed a jumper in their final possession of overtime due to some tough Flashes defense.
In overtime, Kent State missed its first two shots while Robert Morris made both of its as they snuck slightly ahead. Both teams had opportunities at the free throw line, but Robert Morris made four of its six and Kent State two of four to keep the visitors with an advantage. After a timeout as the Golden Flashes regained possession with 11 seconds left, a shot from beyond the arc that would have continued the game took a bounce off the rim and fell off, enabling the Colonials to survive.
Robert Morris had the slight advance in rebounds, 38-34, and shot 45.6% compared to Kent State's 32.7%. The Golden Flashes earned 24 of their points on free throws in 34 attempts.
Lurken had another big game, finishing with a double-double for the second-straight contest. She netted 32 points with 12 rebounds and also added in two steals and two blocks. Naddiyah Cross was second on the team in scoring with 13 points and led the team with four assists.
Kent State will face its first road test of the season when they travel to take on Detroit on Monday at 7 p.m.
