Kent State University
11-11, 4-6MAC
Bowling Green
10-11, 2-8MAC
Kent State Dominates Bowling Green, 81-57, in Return to M.A.C. Center
1/31/2018 11:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
KENT, Ohio — Kent State started the second half of the Mid-American Conference season with a dominant 81-57 victory over Bowling Green on Wednesday night at the M.A.C. Center. The margin of victory is largest against the Falcons since Jan. 22, 2001.
The Golden Flashes (11-11, 4-6 MAC) closed the first period with a 19-2 run and built its leads to as many as 29 points. Kent State shot 25-for-53 (.472) from the floor and 24-for-26 (.923) at the free throw line in its third highest-scoring game of the season.
On the defensive side, the Flashes held the Falcons to 17-for-60 (.283) shooting, which included 8-for-32 (.250) on three-point field goal attempts, while turning 10 turnovers into 19 points.
"We just played with focus and intensity. It wasn't really much more complicated than that," said head coach Todd Starkey. "If we play like that every game, our record is probably different to this point. In conference play, you have to max out your effort on every possession the whole way through. It's the first time we've played a complete game on the offensive and defensive side, so I'm really pleased with the effort."
Senior Jordan Korinek dominated from the opening tip on the way to a career-high 36 points on 12-for-16 shooting. Korinek was beating Bowling Green by herself until a free throw made it a 51-28 game with 3:48 remaining in the third period. The All-M AC forward also grabbed nine rebounds and finished one short of a third consecutive double-double.
"We got the ball to her in great spots, and Jordan did a great job of finishing tonight," added Starkey. "She only had seven points in the first game against them, so we tried to run some different actions for her. They really played us physical the first game, and Jordan let it affect her."
Starkey inserted three new players into the starting lineup, making a change to the unit used in 20 of the first 21 games. Kent State trailed by one when normal starters Naddiyah Cross, Ali Poole and McKenna Stephens entered the contest at the 5:54 mark in the first period, and a 24-5 immediately followed. Stephens knocked down a mid-range jump shot to get it started and then beat the buzzer with a layup to make it 29-11 after the first. Stephens scored seven of her nine points during the stretch.
"Overall, our energy was better and our bench enthusiasm was better," said Starkey. "I thought McKenna played really well off the bench and Ali knocked down some shots."
Kent State held its largest lead of the game, 48-19, with 6:37 remaining in the third quarter. Bowling Green was then finally able to put a run together and got within 17 following back-to-back three-pointers from Kennedy Williams. After calling timeout, the Flashes went inside to Korinek, who converted a three-point play, to take back momentum. Junior Alexa Golden and Poole added three-point field goals to help Kent State close the third on a 9-2 run and extend the lead to 60-36.
Bowling Green cut it to a 16-point game by the final media timeout, but the Flashes made their final 11 free throws as part of a 16-8 run to end the game.
Kent State won the rebounding battle, 43-31, for its ninth double-digit advantage of the season. Korinek led the way with nine rebounds and Stephens added eight boards. Poole grabbed five rebounds to go with 14 points. Cross recorded five assists, her most during conference play, and redshirt sophomore Megan Carter added four as the Flashes tallied 18 for the game to match the season-high.
The Flashes are back in action at the M.A.C. Center on Saturday to host Northern Illinois for a 2 p.m. contest.
