Kent State University
12-10, 6-4
Miami University (OH)
7-15, 1-8
Kent State Rolls to 84-66 Win Against Miami
2/1/2017 9:44:00 PM | Women's Basketball
KENT, Ohio – A strong second half handed Kent State (12-10, 6-4) a 84-66 victory over Miami (7-15, 1-8) on Wednesday night.
A three from Larissa Lurken to start the game would be the difference early on as the Flashes and RedHawks traded baskets back and forth to an 11-10 Kent State lead by the first quarter media break.
It must have been a good conversation at the timeout because the Golden Flashes then went on a 7-0 run that helped them take a 20-17 lead at the end of the first.
Miami scored on back-to-back possessions to tie the game momentarily at the beginning of the second quarter. A Jordan Korinek layup gave the lead back to Kent State. However, the RedHawks would then take their first lead of the night on a driving layup, foul, and success at the free throw line.
Megan Carter hit a three to tie the game out of a called timeout at 27-27 midway through the second quarter. Korinek broke the tie by converting an old-fashioned three point play of her own. With two minutes left before halftime and a four-point lead, Korinek would make that lead six as she worked in the paint for another bucket.
The RedHawks would score the last basket of the half to make it a 42-39 game, Golden Flashes in front.
Kent State used the break wisely as they grabbed their largest lead of the game early on in the third quarter, 48-39, thanks to two McKenna Stephens jumpers and two free throws from Korinek. A three from Alexa Golden increased that lead to 51-41 shortly after.
Later on in the third, Lurken and Barber-Smith both helped add to the Kent State lead on the defensive end as they took charges on consecutive RedHawks possessions. Kent State outscored Miami 23-9 in the quarter to increase their lead to 65-48.
With 6:12 left in the game, Lurken went to the line and upped the Flashes' lead to twenty for the first time on the night and they would not look back down the stretch to take the 84-66 victory.
The Golden Flashes dominated in rebounding with 41 while Miami grabbed just 26. Both teams shot 45 percent from the field and both made seven threes.
Lurken led in scoring with 30 as she went 12-for-12 at the free throw line and led the team with six assists. Korinek had a double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds. Golden led with three steals.
Kent State has a big matchup at Buffalo up next on Saturday before returning home to face Eastern Michigan next Wednesday at 7 p.m.
