Kent State University
5-18, 2-11MAC
University of Akron
13-11, 7-6MAC
Flashes Drop 78-66 Wagon Wheel Game
2/17/2016 9:10:00 PM | Women's Basketball
AKRON, Ohio – Wednesday night was a typical battle in the Wagon Wheel Challenge, with Kent State (5-15, 2-11) leading for the first half but Akron (13-11, 7-6) coming back to take the game by a score of 78-66.
Larissa Lurken started things off by draining a three and the Golden Flashes' defense forced three early turnovers to give Kent State some good momentum to start the game. The Zips were able to come back and take a lead but the Flashes got in front after a layup by Tyra James and jumper from McKenna Stephens to lead 22-19 at the end of the first.
A steal and swoosh from Alexa Golden in the second quarter gave Kent State its biggest lead of the night at 31-23 with 5:51 on the clock in the period. A minute later, after Jordan Korinek grabbed her own rebound, Golden kicked it out to Stephens who drained a trey from the top of the key to make it a ten-point game, forcing an Akron timeout.
The Zips made back-to-back threes to bring the game within six, but McKenna sunk another shot from beyond the arc to make it a ten-point lead again with 44 second remaining in the half. The Flashes were in front 47-36 at the break.
Akron came out strong in the third quarter, putting together a few runs to only be down 58-55 at the end of the third.
After the teams traded the lead back and forth, two threes by the hands of the Zips put them ahead 65-60 at 6:13 in the 4th, their biggest lead of the night.
Up by six, Akron hit six free throws in the final minute to take the 78-66 victory.
Kent State shot an even 50% in the game and outscored the Zips 30-20 in the paint. Akron capitalized on 19 KSU turnovers, scoring 29 off of them.
Lurken had a team-high 16 points while Korinek finished with 15 and nine rebounds. James also reached double-digits in scoring with 12.
The Golden Flashes return home to the M.A.C. Center this Saturday in another MAC East showdown. They will take on the Bowling Green Falcons at 5 p.m.
