Kent State University
10-9, 4-3
University of Toledo
12-6, 3-4
Women's Basketball Leads the Whole Way in 70-60 Victory Over Toledo
1/21/2017 7:19:00 PM | Women's Basketball
KENT, Ohio – Kent State (10-9, 4-3) scored first and never looked back as they took down Toledo (12-6, 3-4) on Saturday night by a score of 70-60. It was the first win against the Rockets since 2010 and made it three wins in a row for the Flashes.
Defense was strong at the start as the Rockets made just one of its first ten shots. They were only able to make four shots in the opening quarter while the Flashes made half of theirs on four less attempts. That put Kent State up 20-8 at the end of the first as Larissa Lurken hit a three right before the buzzer to have ten points in the first ten minutes.
Kent State added to its lead in the second until Toledo was able to bring the game back within ten just after the media break. Lurken then stole the ball and was fouled on a fast break and Korinek made a deep jumper to put the lead back at 13. In the final minute before halftime, the Rockets strung together three straight points to put it back at a ten point game as the Flashes led 32-22.
After the media break in the third quarter, Kent State was able to get out to its biggest lead of the night. It started with a jumper from McKenna Stephens. Korinek connected for two at the line and then her and Lurken both had baskets to make it a 48-32 game. It would be a 52-36 game at the end of the third.
Toledo got some momentum going in the fourth to cause a Kent State timeout as the Flashes lead was at 11. Out of the quick break, Lurken blocked a Rockets' shot and Alexa Golden was fouled at the other end where she unable to add to the advantage. After another called timeout, Toledo connected after an offensive rebound to cut the deficit to single digits. Two foul shots closed the gap even further to make it a 60-53 game.
Single makes at both free throw lines kept the difference the same. While Toledo put on the full press, Megan Carter was found and made a layup on a fast break. Two missed threes by Toledo turned into a trip to the line for Naddiyah Cross. She made both and then went to the line again to make four in a row with less than a minute to play.
The last 46 seconds was decided at the line. Korinek was good for two and Stephens made another. Toledo was not out of it, as they made a layup and got possession on a jump ball. However, Lurken swatted the ball away from behind and the Flashes would run out the clock for the ten-point victory.
Kent State's trips to the free throw line were a big difference in the game. They made 25 baskets on 34 trips while Toledo visited just 13 times for seven points. Both teams made just three shots from beyond the arc, but the Rockets had many more chances – 21 compared to the Flashes' ten attempts.
Korinek had the best night as she accomplished a double-double with 23 points and ten rebounds. She also added in two blocks. Lurken was right on her season average with a 22-point performance. She also had two blocks and finished with six rebounds and a steal.
The Golden Flashes will travel for a rematch with Northern Illinois on Wednesday night before returning home to the M.A.C. Center for a 3 p.m. game as part of a doubleheader on Saturday. Tickets are available at kentstatesports.com or by calling 330-672-2244.
