Kent State University
8-5 (1-0MAC)
Eastern Michigan
4-8 (0-1MAC)
Carter’s Career-High Keys Road Win over EMU in MAC Opener
12/30/2017 11:39:00 PM | Women's Basketball
YPSILANTI, Mich. — Facing its largest deficit of the game with less than a minute to play in the third quarter, Kent State scored 11 straight to retake the lead to break a tied game and converted all four free throw attempts in the final 15 seconds to defeat Eastern Michigan, 67-60, in the Mid-American Conference opener for both teams Saturday afternoon inside of Convocation Center.
The Golden Flashes (8-5, 1-0 MAC) scored five points in the final 49 seconds on the third quarter to tie the game, 47-47, heading into the final period. Kent State scored on its first three possessions of the fourth and shot 7-for-10 from the field in the period. The Flashes went on to build the lead to 10 with 2:24 to play. Redshirt sophomore Megan Carter led the way with eight points in the period and finished with a career-high 16 points in her first game of the season.
Senior Jordan Korinek scored a game-high 21 points and graduate student McKenna Stephens added 17 points to go with a career-high 12 rebounds. Junior Alexa Golden grabbed five rebounds apiece. Golden hauled in 10 rebounds to match her career-high and handed out a game-high five assists.
"I'm always pleased with any road win in this conference," said head coach Todd Starkey. "It was a little sloppy for both teams being the first game after Christmas and both teams hadn't played in a while. You have to find a way to win when you're not playing your best, and I'm pleased that we were able to do that. It's nice to get Megan Carter back. She was a little rusty, as far as execution, but we needed every one of her 16 points."
The Golden Flashes will play at Northern Illinois on Wednesday, Jan. 3 before returning to the M.A.C. Center for back-to-back home games on Jan. 6 and Jan. 10.
Notes
• Kent State earned its first victory in the conference opener since the 2010-11 season.
• Senior forward Jordan Korinek notched her 18th career 20-point game.
• Redshirt sophomore Megan Carter scored a career-high 16 points in her season debut.
• Graduate student McKenna Stephens grabbed a career-high 12 rebounds, surpassing her previous mark set last season at Eastern Michigan.
• Junior Alexa Golden matched her career-high with 10 rebounds.
