Kent State University
14-11, 8-5MAC
University of Akron
9-14, 2-10MAC
Kent State Rights the Rivalry in 72-58 Victory at Akron
2/11/2017 5:12:00 PM | Women's Basketball
AKRON, Ohio – For the first time in five seasons Kent State (14-11, 8-5) landed on the right side of the rivalry as it took down Akron (9-14, 2-10) by a score of 72-58 on Saturday afternoon, earning an edge in the Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge.
The Zips scored the game's first basket, but the Flashes came on fast, making all five of their first field goal attempts; all five came off of assists. However, that hot start turned into an almost three minute scoring drought, allowing Akron to tie the game at ten. Jordan Korinek broke that tie with a layup.
The score sat at 12-10, Flashes in front, until the Zips hit a three to take the lead with two minutes to play in the first. With less than a minute to go, Ali Poole found Megan Carter inside to tie the game at 15. Akron had the last possession of the half but could not get off a shot against the KSU defense as the game remained deadlocked at the end of the first.
Akron sunk a three out of the break to lead early on in the second quarter. They took the biggest lead of the game, 22-17. Down two, Kent State forced a turnover that turned into a Chelsi Watson layup that tied the game once again. A Larissa Lurken steal and bucket gave the lead back to the Flashes at the second quarter media timeout.
A rainbow three from McKenna Stephens made it a five-point game in favor of the Flashes as they strung together a 10-0 run. Stephens wasn't done, as she was found again outside the perimeter and drained another.
The momentum continued to favor the Flashes as the clock neared halftime, thanks to an improved defensive effort. The Zips were held scoreless for more than seven minutes. In that time, Carter added in a three-pointer and Lurken was good for two at the line. A fade-away jumper from Lurken made it a 37-22 game and forced a Zips' timeout with 2:33 to go until the half.
Kent State closed out the quarter on a 23-6 run, including twenty-straight points, to lead 40-28 at halftime. The team shot better than 50 percent from the floor in the half and scored twenty off of turnovers.
The Flashes had the first possession of the third quarter and quickly scored on a Lurken jump shot. After she stole the ball, Stephens was good on her third attempt of the day from deep. Stephens made a shot on the baseline, Lurken sunk two free throws and Korinek got back in the action as Akron called a timeout after a 6-0 Kent State run in the third.
Fortunately, the timeout didn't work. Alexa Golden found Korinek inside to make it a 9-0 run that gave Kent State a twenty-point advantage with one quarter left to play.
Akron scored seven-straight points to start the fourth and bring the lead to within 13. However, it would be the closest they would get down the stretch as Carter dribbled the ball in front of the Kent State bench to wear the clock down to the final buzzer.
The Golden Flashes ended up shooting 48.3 percent in the game, scoring 34 in the paint and 24 off turnovers. Their ball movement was superb, as 20 of 29 field goals were assisted.
Stephens led the way with a career-high 20 points and also led the team in rebounding with eight. She added in two assists and two steals. Korinek finished with 17 and Lurken with 14 in the effort. Lurken led the team with six assists, four steals and two blocks.
Kent State will have a weeklong break until its next game. After a bye on Wednesday, the team will host Ohio on Saturday, February 18 at 2 p.m. The game will be the team's annual Play4Kay event. Tickets are available at kentstatesports.com or by calling 330-672-2244.
