Kent State University
8-6, 1-1MAC
Northern Illinois
9-4, 1-1MAC
Lead Slips Away Late in 81-79 Setback at NIU
1/3/2018 11:56:00 PM | Women's Basketball
DEKALB, Ill. — Kent State led by eight with eight minutes remaining, but dropped an 81-79 contest to Northern Illinois on Wednesday night. Trailing by one point with the shot clock turned off, the Golden Flashes were unable to score and the host Huskies split a pair of free throws to account for the final score.
A three-pointer by sophomore Ali Poole capped a 7-0 run and gave Kent State (8-6, 1-1 MAC) its largest lead of the night, 69-61, with 8:05 to play. However, the Flashes shot just 2-for-6 while committing seven turnovers and were outscored 20-10 the rest of the way.
Senior Jordan Korinek led four Flashes in double-figures with 27 points. Redshirt sophomore Megan Carter provided a spark off the bench with 17 points, her second straight game setting a new career-high. Poole shot 4-for-6 from long range and finished with 14 points, while graduate student McKenna Stephens contributed 10 points, a game-high eight rebounds and team-high four assists.
"We had our chances to win the game but made too many mistakes down the stretch," said head coach Todd Starkey. "We've been better than this on the road. Northern Illinois will be coming back to our place in a month, and we'll be eager to have another chance at them."
Kent State posted its third consecutive game with a double-digit rebounding advantage, bringing down 38 boards to NIU's 26. Despite a 12-5 edge in offensive rebounds, the Flashes were outscored, 10-6, in second chance points. Junior Alexa Golden had five of her seven rebounds on the offensive end,
The Flashes were terrific at the free throw line, converting 18 of 20 attempts for a season-best 90 percent. Korinek made all eight of her attempts and Carter shot 7-for-8.
Kent State has played 12 of its first 14 games on the road and is slated to play nine of its final 16 games at the home.
"Our players are ready to get home," Starkey added. "We've only had two home games this season, and we're ready to play in front of our great fans inside the M.A.C. Center."
The Flashes will enjoy a mini two-game homestand which begins against Western Michigan at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 6. Eastern Michigan then visits the M.A.C. Center on Wednesday, Jan. 10.
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