Kent State University
12-11 (6-5MAC)
University at Buffalo
16-6 (6-5MAC)
Korinek Scores 1,000th Career Point But Flashes Lose at Buffalo
2/4/2017 4:46:00 PM | Women's Basketball
BUFFALO, N.Y. – Jordan Korinek became the 21st player in Kent State history to score 1,000 career points Saturday afternoon in a 77-62 Kent State (12-11, 6-5) loss at Buffalo (16-6, 6-5).
The Flashes had a slow start out of the gate, missing their first three shots and turning the ball over three times to allow the Bulls to get out to a 10-0 lead. Kent State would go on to shoot just 21 percent in the opening quarter. Megan Carter made a jumper in the final seconds to end a drought and make it a 20-8 game early on.
The Bulls would continue to shoot well and hold the Flashes at bay in the second quarter to take a 39-23 lead at the break. With two seconds remaining, Larissa Lurken fed Korinek inside as the latter muscled a shot up to join Kent State's 1,000 career point club.
Despite zero points in the first two quarters, Lurken, the MAC's leading scorer, warmed up in the third as she went 6-for-6 from the free throw line and hit the team's first three of the day just before a timeout in the third. Buffalo lead 54-37 at that point.
With one quarter remaining in the game, Kent State found itself down 60-41. Korinek and Lurken combined for 28 of the team's points as no other player had more than four. However, the Flashes would stage a late surge.
Less than two minutes into the fourth McKenna Stephens hit a three to try to break into the twenty-point deficit. Korinek had back-to-back buckets in the paint and Lurken was fouled while going for a defensive rebound. She later was fouled again driving to the basket this time, where she made her layup and foul shot to make it a 14-point contest. Lurken continued to give her team life as she later stole the ball and went coast-to-coast leading into the final media timeout of the day.
Down 12 now with 4:15 remaining, the Flashes forced a shot clock violation and Korinek was good for more in the paint. On the next possession, Alexa Golden's good defense forced another Bulls' turnover. However, Kent State did not make a field goal in the final three minutes to drop the contest 77-62.
Buffalo would have the advantage in rebounding 37-33 while its defense was able to grab 11 steals and 21 fast break points. Kent State ended up shooting 47.5 percent from the floor and was 20-for-25 at the free throw line.
Korinek finished the day with 23 points and seven rebounds. Lurken had 21 with six rebounds and three assists. Stephens led the team with five assists.
Kent State returns home to the M.A.C. Center on Wednesday to host Eastern Michigan at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available at kentstateports.com or by calling 330-672-2244.
