Kent State University
1-2
Northern Kentucky
1-1
Golden Flashes Beat NKU in Home Opener, 62-61
11/17/2018 9:55:00 PM | Women's Basketball
KENT, Ohio – Senior Alexa Golden sank the go-ahead basket with under a minute remaining as Kent State held on to beat Northern Kentucky, 62-61, in the home opener on Saturday's first day of the Kent State Classic at the M.A.C. Center.
The Golden Flashes (1-2) relied on their veterans down the stretch after having a seven-point lead early in the final period turned into a three-point deficit at the 3:46 mark following a 13-3 NKU run. After Golden's jumper with 56.5 to play, the defense got back-to-back stops and junior Ali Poole made a pair of free throws with 6.0 on the clock. NKU hit a three-pointer with 0.6 left to account for the final score.
"We found a way to win," said head coach Todd Starkey. "It wasn't pretty, but I think we learned some things that we will try to improve upon for tomorrow. I thought the crowd was great and hope that they come back out tomorrow."
Freshman Asiah Dingle led Kent State with 15 points, four assists and four steals, setting a career-high in each category. Megan Carter added 14 points. Alexa Golden, who played the entire second half, scored all 11 of her points after halftime. Golden shot 3-for-4 on three-pointers and added three assists and three steals.
"Lex made some big shots and defensive plays for us," added Starkey. "She is battle-tested and has the toughness of a senior. She's played in some big games during her time with our program."
Kent State scored the first 10 points after halftime to take its largest lead of the game, 38-23. It happened in a hurry, as the Flashes needed just four possessions and 1:27 of game time. NKU had an answer and scored the next 10 points. Carter split a pair of free throws to make it a seven-point game with 2:49 remaining in the period, but the Norse scored six straight to cut the Flashes' lead to 42-41 heading into the final period.
Golden and freshman Lindsey Thall made three-pointers on Kent State's first two possessions of the fourth to push the lead back to seven. NKU then took the lead with nine consecutive points and held a 54-51 lead at the 3:46 mark. Dingle completed an old-fashioned three-point play on the Flashes' next trip down the floor and gave them the lead with a jumper in the paint following two missed free throws by NKU. The Norse then made two free throws and added another pair at the charity stripe after Carter had put Kent State back in the lead to setup the stage for Golden's big shot.
The Flashes totaled a season-high 13 steals while forcing 27 NKU turnovers. Kent State lost the rebounding battle, 35-24. Carter, Dingle and Thall shared the team lead with four rebounds.
Kent State is back in action Sunday to conclude the Kent State Classic against Oakland on at 1:30 p.m.
