Kent State University
11-7, 4-3MAC
Ball State
13-7, 5-3MAC
Carter Scores 20 in Victory Against Ball State
1/29/2020 10:39:00 PM | Women's Basketball
KENT, Ohio – Megan Carter scored four of her game-high 20 points in the final two minutes to lead Kent State to a 69-68 victory against Ball State on Wednesday evening at the M.A.C. Center.
As they have done so often this season, the Golden Flashes (11-7, 4-3 MAC) put the ball in Carter's hands down the stretch in a close game. And once again, the redshirt senior delivered clutch baskets to give her team the lead. With the game tied 65-65, Carter used a slight hesitation to drive past a help defender and lay it in with 1:55 remaining.
Two possessions later, she was able to weave through the defense as the shot clock neared expiration and rolled in a shot as she drove into the paint for a 69-66 lead and 10.8 on the clock.
The Flashes prevented a look from beyond the arc on the ensuing possession, and Ball State settled for a layup with just 0.1 seconds to play. Following a timeout to advance the ball into the frontcourt, Kent State was able to toss the ball in and bring the game to an end upon contact.
"More than anything, I'm really proud of Megan Carter, with everything she's been through this season" head coach Todd Starkey said. "It was a hard-fought, tough game. She battled and was fatigued but came away with 20 points against probably the best defensive team in the conference."
Carter returned to the starting lineup for the first time and shot 7-of-14 from the field in just her second game back after being sidelined for three games earlier in the month.
Freshmen Nila Blackford and Katie Shumate were also key late in the game, combining for nine points and nine rebounds in the final quarter. Blackford finished with 14 points and eight rebounds, while Shumate totaled 15 points, nine boards and a career-high five assists.
Sophomore Lindsey Thall made three of four three-point attempts and finished with 11 points.
The Flashes will travel to Toledo on Saturday for a 2 p.m. matchup.
