Kent State University
3-3
Duquesne
3-3
Duquesne Rallies in Fourth to Hand Flashes First Home Loss
11/28/2018 10:50:00 PM | Women's Basketball
KENT, Ohio – Four players scored in double-figures as Kent State concluded a four-game homestand with a 77-72 setback to Atlantic 10 favorite Duquesne on Wednesday at the M.A.C. Center.
The Golden Flashes (3-3) scored on just one of their first nine possessions of the final period and saw their two-point lead turn into a seven-point deficit with 5:20 to play. Lindsey Thall made two free throws to get within 74-72 with 27.0 on the clock, but the Dukes would make three of four free throws to account for the final five-point margin.
Megan Carter paced Kent State with 17 points. Lindsey Thall scored a career-high 15 points. Asiah Dingle and Ali Poole added 13 and 10 points, respectively.
For the second straight game, Kent State made 10 three-pointers. Thall drained three from long range, while Alexa Golden, Mariah Modkins and Poole made two each.
Kent State recorded more assists (14) than turnovers (13) for the first time this season. Dingle handed out a career-high six dimes and Carter added four to lead the way. The Flashes converted 20 Duquesne turnovers into 23 points.
Duquesne held a 39-33 rebounding advantage. Thall led Kent State with six boards with Merissa Barber-Smith and Carter right behind with five.
Duquesne's shooters were hot early, making their first four three-pointers to take a 16-7 lead at the first media timeout. The Flashes came back to score eight of the final 10 points in the period and get within 17-15 after 10 minutes of action.
The run extended to 22-3 as the Flashes led by 10 midway through the second period. Duquesne scored the next nine points to get within one, but Kent State scored five of the final six points of the half to take a 34-29 lead into the locker room.
Both teams shot the ball well in the third period with Duquesne going 9-for-11 (81.8 percent) and Kent State shooting 9-for-17 (52.9 percent). The visitors made it a one-possession game several times during the quarter, but the Flashes had an answer on the offensive end each time. Mariah Modkins drained a three-ball after Duquesne got within one in the final minute, but the Dukes were able to score in the closing seconds and get within 55-53.
Megan Carter made a contested basket late in the shot clock while fading away to give the Flashes their first points of the fourth quarter and tie the score, 57-57. On the other end of the floor, Duquesne got a crucial offensive rebound that led to a three-pointer and put the guests ahead for good at the 6:43 mark. Alexa Golden made a pair of three-pointers down the stretch to keep it within striking distance, but the Flashes were unable to get enough stops without fouling to complete the comeback.
Kent State travels to Wright State for a 2 p.m. contest on Sunday, Dec. 2 for the first of four straight road games.
