Kent State University
11-14, 4-9MAC
Ohio
13-10, 7-5MAC
Flashes Fight to Final Buzzer in Loss to Bobcats
2/10/2018 9:31:00 PM | Women's Basketball
KENT, Ohio – Kent State battled back from a double-digit deficit to make it a one-possession game on multiple occasions but was unable to complete the comeback effort, falling to Ohio by a score of 78-65 Saturday afternoon at the M.A.C. Center.
The Golden Flashes (11-14, 4-9 MAC) trailed by after the opening possession of the second quarter and were able to get within three points six times over the final 30 minutes. Each time, however, the Bobcats answered each time, including a three-pointer or a three-point play on four occasions. Senior Jordan Korinek made a pair of free throws with 4:57 remaining in the game to make it 60-56, but Ohio came down and buried another three-pointer for the first of eight straight points to push the lead back to double-figures. Kent State was forced to resort to fouling and Ohio converted 11 of 13 free throw attempts as part of an 18-9 run to close the game.
"I thought we played harder and was pleased with our effort from start to finish today," said head coach Todd Starkey following his team's third consecutive loss. "Sometimes the final score isn't as indicative of how close the game is, and I feel that this was certainly closer than a 13-point game. We're not a team that plays great from behind. We have to start games game with the lead and play great defense to keep that lead. Ohio is a good team. They're playing well right now, and we struggled to get stops when we needed them."
Korinek led all players 21 points and 11 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season. Graduate student McKenna Stephens added 14 points to go with a career-high three blocks and season-high four assists.
Following a slow start on the offensive end in which it committed turnovers on five of its first seven possessions, Kent State scored on three consecutive trips down the court to regain the lead, 10-9. Korinek converted a layup, followed by a three-pointer from Stephens and an Alexa Golden layup. The Bobcats then made their second of nine three-pointers on the day as part of a 12-3 run to end the first quarter with a 21-13 lead.
The Flashes played stifling defense to outscore Ohio 15-12 in the second quarter. The Bobcats committed more turnovers (10) in the period than they had field goal attempts (9) and scored just two points in the paint. Kent State held its guests scoreless from the 6:42 mark until the 1:35 mark but was only able to score five points during the stretch. Back-to-back mid-range jumpers by Stephens made it a two-point game with a minute until halftime, but Ohio drilled a three-pointer on its next trip down the floor for its first field goal in nearly six minutes to lead 33-28 heading into the locker room.
The third quarter saw Kent State get within a single possession on five occasions and followed with a defensive stop three times. However, the Flashes either turned the ball over or settled for a perimeter shot after each stop and were unable to tie the game. Stephens was able to retrieve a loose ball near the basket and lay it in to beat the quarter buzzer to end a hectic final minute and make it 54-48 heading into the final 10 minutes.
Kent State had its worst shooting quarter of the game in the fourth, going 5-for-17 (.294) from the floor. The Flashes failed to make a field goal for a span of more than six minutes, which ended on a three-pointer by Golden with 2:09 to play. Sophomore Ali Poole made a pair of jump shots a few possessions later and redshirt sophomore Megan Carter hit a mid-range pullup in the closing seconds for the final basket. Carter matched her season-high with five assists and contributed nine points off the bench.
Kent State had a much-improved day from long range, connecting on 4 of 10 three-point shots after shooting 5-for-40 over its two previous games. Ohio edged the Flashes on the glass, 34-33, and led 26-24 in points in the paint, 16-15 in points off turnovers and 16-12 in fast break points.
The Flashes will have a bye during Wednesday's conference action then return to action with the annual Play 4 Kay game against Miami on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 4:30 p.m.
Notes
• Senior Jordan Korinek posted her 27th career 20-point game and 15th this season.
• Korinek recorded her 10th career double-double and fourth this season.
• Korinek moved into seventh on Kent State's career scoring list with 1,668 points, passing Judi Dum (1984-87) and former teammate Larissa Lurken (2013-17).
• Korinek moved into eighth on Kent State's career rebounding list with 704 points, passing Ann Forbes (1989-92).
