Kent State University
11-10, 5-4
Bowling Green
5-16, 1-8
Carter's Game-Winner Gives Kent State 80-78 Victory
1/28/2017 6:01:00 PM | Women's Basketball
KENT, Ohio – In a back-and-forth game, Megan Carter hit the game-winning shot to keep Kent State (11-10, 5-4) ahead of Bowling Green (5-16, 1-8) with a final score of 80-78 on Saturday.
With 28 seconds left in the game tied at 78, the Flashes called a timeout and advanced the ball. Dribbling at the top of the key as the seconds ticked away, Carter drove, stopped and put up a shot that went straight through the net to put the Flashes up and grab them the victory.
To begin the contest, Larissa Lurken splashed in a three to get the scoring started that helped the Flashes get out to a 9-2 lead. The Falcons were able to get the game within a point, but successful free throw shots allowed Kent State to get ahead 17-12 at the end of the first quarter.
A Bowling Green three with 5:30 to go in the second gave the Falcons their first lead of the day at 22-21. It didn't last long, though, as McKenna Stephens was good on a jumper and Zenobia Bess blocked a shot and got the rebound to send the quarter to its media break.
After another block on the defensive end from Bess, Carter sunk a three to put Kent State back up by six. Back-to-back steals by Lurken increased the lead to 34-22 later on in the second. Another strong defensive effort as the clock winded down towards halftime helped the Flashes take a 36-24 lead at the break.
The Falcons slowly worked back into the game in the third as they strung together a five-point and four-point run in the middle of the quarter to find themselves down four. Lurken worked her way to the basket and earned four free throws and a layup to gain some room, but Bowling Green was connecting on threes to make sure the Flashes did not get too far ahead. Three late foul shots made it a two-point game at the end of the third with Kent State leading 56-54.
With 5:45 left in the game, Bowling Green was able to tie it at 62. Free throws then put the Falcons up by two. During the Flashes' next possession, Ali Poole found Carter making a break to the paint. Carter went up strong, made her shot and earned a trip to the foul line where she was good to give the lead back to Kent State.
After Bowling Green got back ahead by one, Carter went back to the line and was good for two more. Lurken then got another chance at the line to add to the lead, which she did, making both her free throws. Left wide open with the shot clock almost expired, Naddiyah Cross found Lurken for a three to make it a 72-68 game with three minutes to go.
The Falcons would not be held down, as they converted an old-fashioned three-point play, forced an empty Kent State possession, then went back to their free throw line. After making the first and missing the second, Bowling Green got its own rebound and was fouled again. Two made foul shots in that trip gave them a 76-74 lead.
Back on the other end of the floor, Korinek tied the game, but the Falcons got back in front just as the clock hit one minute. Lurken was good on her 19th and 20th free throw attempts of the day to lock things at 78 as Bowling Green called a timeout with 36.4 to play.
Now on defense, Lurken came up with a huge defensive play, earning a charge to get the ball back and setting up the Carter game-winner. With 2.2 seconds left, Bowling Green was not able to get a shot off to end the game in the Flashes' favor.
Kent State outrebounded 37-32 and had assists on 16 of its 23 field goals on the night and had a lot of success at the line with a 31-for-36 performance. The team also came up with eight steals and four blocks on the night. The Falcons had success beyond the arc, making nine of 18 three-point attempts.
Lurken led with 31 points and added in six rebounds, five assists and three steals. 19 of her points came via free throws. Korinek was the next-highest scorer with 18 and seven rebounds. Stephens led the team in rebounding with eight while scoring 14. Carter finished with 13 while Cross had seven assists.
The Golden Flashes will remain home for their next contest as they host Miami on Wednesday in a 7 p.m. game. Tickets are available at kentstateports.com or by calling 330-672-2244.
