Kent State University
9-9 (3-3MAC)
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Western Michigan University
13-4 (4-2MAC)
Late Surge Earns 71-67 Win on the Road at WMU
1/18/2017 10:16:00 PM | Women's Basketball
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – A late twenty point swing brought Kent State (9-9, 3-3) to .500 on the season and in conference play after a gutty win on the road at Western Michigan (13-4, 4-2). The team led for less than a quarter of the game but came on strong when it mattered to take the 71-67 victory.
"Once again, this team is really doing a good job of making the right adjustments at halftime," said Head Coach Todd Starkey. "We were really struggling and were fortunate to go in at halftime down 11. We made some adjustments and a lot like we did against Ohio, we kept running the same plays but took some different options. They did a really good job of executing that."
The Flashes were a little slow to start the game, making just one of their first seven shots while committing three turnovers in the opening five minutes. Jordan Korinek scored after grabbing an offensive rebound shortly after the media timeout to end the drought. She then converted on an and-one to score Kent State's first eight points of the night.
On a fast break, Korinek threw a pass down to Larissa Lurken who stepped back and hit a jumper to make it a 17-10 game at the end of the first quarter.
The Broncos were able to add to their lead and go up by as much as 14 late in the second quarter. Two layups and a free throw from Lurken to made it an 11-point game, 35-24, at the half.
McKenna Stephens hit a three as the shot clock sounded to get the action started in the third and reduce the WMU lead. A 10-0 run that started with a Merissa Barber-Smith layup and free throw had the Flashes closing in on the lead late in the third quarter. Megan Carter drained a shot from beyond the arc that made it a four-point game with 1:01 to go in the third. Out of a timeout, Western Michigan drove for a layup but Stephens connected on a three to cut the deficit even smaller. It was a 52-49 game with one quarter left to play.
Lurken fed Korinek for a good start to the fourth. After Barber-Smith muscled down an offensive rebound, Stephens hit a shot from the top of the key to give Kent State a 54-53 lead. Once the Broncos snuck back ahead, a Barber-Smith free throw then Ali Poole drive and layup gave the Flashes a 57-55 advantage at the final media break of the game.
A Lurken bucket made it a three-point lead and an empty possession put the ball back into Kent State's hands and allowed Barber-Smith to add more to her rebound total. Lurken made two at the line shortly after followed by one from Naddiyah Cross to make it a six-point lead as Western Michigan called a timeout with 2:14 on the clock.
With a minute left up 64-59, Megan Carter made two at the charity stripe to keep up the Kent State surge. Western Michigan was determined to make it exciting as they buried a deep three and called a timeout with 53.2 seconds remaining. A turnover allowed the Broncos to hit another three and bring the lead to within a point. But, Carter went back to the line and was good for two more clutch free throws.
Back on defense, a jump ball after a miss favored the Flashes. They called a timeout and elected to advance the ball with 13.2 seconds left in the game and a three-point lead. Korinek was fouled immediately and made one at the line. WMU kept things close with a layup, but Cross hit two more free throws to solidify the win.
Both teams posted similar percentages shooting from the field with the biggest difference coming from free chances. Kent State hit 23 of its 31 free throw attempts while Western Michigan only got to the line 11 times where it made eight. The Flashes won the rebound battle 41 to 28.
Lurken led in scoring with 26 while adding in a team-high three assists and a steal. Barber-Smith was a huge factor in the second half with 11 rebounds and two steals. Korinek also reached double-digits in scoring with 15.
Kent State is back in action on home court Saturday at 4 p.m. The team will take on Toledo in the first game of a doubleheader at the M.A.C. Center. Tickets are available at kentstatesports.com or by calling 330-672-2244.
