Kent State University
6-6
University of Minnesota
9-4
Slow Start Results in Defeat in Final Non-Conference Contest
12/22/2016 11:21:00 PM | Women's Basketball
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – A slow start hindered Kent State's (6-6) night as the team was unable to overcome an early deficit at Minnesota (9-4), dropping its final non-conference game of the season 92-62.
The Golden Flashes sunk the first bucket of the game but then could not orchestrate any offense as they missed their next 19 shots to find themselves down 24-2 at the end of the first quarter. Meanwhile, the Gophers made more than half of their shots in the opening ten minutes.
The second quarter started off better as Megan Carter worked to make a basket then was successful at the foul line to get some positive rhythm going for Kent State. They ended the quarter with a spurt that consisted of a Larissa Lurken jumper, a block by Merissa Barber-Smith and then a fast-break layup by Carter off a pass from Golden. Despite the effort, Minnesota led 44-24 at the break.
The Gophers added to their lead in the third quarter before the Flashes closed the gap a bit in the final period. Kent State outscored Minnesota for nearly the entire fourth quarter until the home team made free throws in the final seconds to take the thirty-point win.
The teams were even with 50 rebounds each while Kent State had 22 on the offensive end. Overall, Minnesota made half of its shots while the Flashes hit 27.8 percent and just one of their 16 three-point attempts.
Carter finished the game with a career-high 13 points and six assists. Alexa Golden was a point shy of a double-double as she recorded a career-best ten rebounds. McKenna Stephens had 12 points on the night.
The Golden Flashes now have a break until Mid-American Conference play begins on Saturday, December 31. They will host Central Michigan in a 1 p.m. game at the M.A.C. Center.
