Kent State University
Eastern Kentucky
Busy Week for Women’s Basketball Begins Tuesday at EKU
12/5/2017 1:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
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The Kent State women's basketball team is in action at 7 p.m. Tuesday night at Eastern Kentucky for the first of three games in six days before an eight-day break for final exams.
The Golden Flashes have won two straight after dropping their first two games at the Play4Kay Showcase in Las Vegas over Thanksgiving weekend.
In Thursday's home opener, Kent State had its best offensive performance of the season in defeating Detroit Mercy, 82-74. In addition to scoring more points than in any other game this season, the Flashes shot a season-best 45.9-percent from the floor. Four players scored in double-figures, led by career-high nights from graduate student forward McKenna Stephens (22) and junior guard Alexa Golden (18). Senior forward Jordan Korinek (17 points) and Golden each grabbed a team-high nine rebounds to lead Kent State to a 37-31 edge on the glass.
The free throw line was once again an advantage for the Flashes, who scored 10 more points from the charity stripe than the Titans. Kent State is the national leader in free throws made (148) and ranks second in free throw attempts (204).
Korinek, a Preseason All-MAC East Team selection, is the offensive catalyst for the Flashes and ranks in the top 50 nationally in total points (166), scoring average (20.8 ppg), field goals made (53), field goal percentage (.582), free throws made (50) and free throw attempts (62). Sophomore guard Ali Poole (10.6 ppg) has more than doubled her scoring average in a starting role this season and leads the team in three-point field goals (12). Senior guard Naddiyah Cross is averaging career-bests in points (5.9), rebounds (3.1) assists (5.3) and steals (1.0).
Scouting Eastern Kentucky
The Colonels (2-4) were predicted to finish 10th in the Ohio Valley Conference Preseason Poll after becoming the league's first No. 7 seed to reach the conference championship game last year. EKU is 0-3 against Mid-American Conference schools (Akron, Bowling Green, Ohio) this season and have been outscored by an average of 15.3 points in those contests.
Guard A'Queen Hayes has made a big impact in her first season of eligibility after transferring from Ole Miss and leads the team in points (14.3 ppg), rebounds (6.7 rpg), assists (4.0 apg) and steals (1.2 spg). Forward Abby Wright (13.3 ppg) is coming off a career-high 20-point performance against Ohio and is shooting 43-percent from the three-point arc. Freshman guard Bria Bass (9.2 ppg) averaged 19.0 ppg over the last two games.
Series History
• Kent State is 4-2 in the all-time series vs. Eastern Kentucky.
• The Golden Flashes have won each of the past two matches, including an 80-67 victory last season at the M.A.C. Center.
• The Colonels have protected home court and are 2-0 when the teams have met in Richmond, Kentucky.
• EKU earned a 65-54 victory on Dec. 7, 1984 and a 56-42 victory on Nov. 14, 2012.
FLASHBack to Last Meeting
• Kent State led by as many as 24 in an 80-67 win at the M.A.C. Center.
• Both teams made 27 field goals, but the Golden Flashes outscored the Colonels, 21-7 at the free throw line.
• Kent State dominated the boards and held a 42-21 rebounding advantage.
• Larissa Lurken notched a double-double with 27 points and 10 rebounds. Lurken also shot 12-for-12 at the charity stripe.
• Jordan Korinek added 20 points and nine rebounds.
• Chelsi Watson (11 points, 8 rebounds) and Ali Poole (9 points) led the Flashes to a 22-6 bench scoring advantage.
• EKU scored after winning the opening tip, but Kent State scored the next 12 points to take the lead for the rest of the game.
• The Flashes were ahead 25-14 after the first quarter and used another 12-0 run to extend the lead to 40-17.
• A three-pointer in the final minute of the second quarter started an EKU 28-10 run to get within six with a minute remaining in the third. Kent State scored eight straight to end the period leading 65-51.
• Shavonte Naylor led the Colonels with 21 points and six rebounds.
• Alexus Cooper and Mariah Massengill added 15 points each.
Radio
Dave Wilson will be on the call on on the Golden Flashes iHeartRadio channel 640 WHLO.
Next Up For Kent State
The Golden Flashes have a quick turnaround with Wright State visiting the M.A.C. Center on Thursday, Dec. 7.
