Kent State University
7-5, 0-1MAC
Ball State
9-4, 1-0MAC
Flashes Drop MAC Opener at Ball State
1/4/2020 3:51:00 PM | Women's Basketball
KENT, Ohio – In the first Mid-American Conference game of her career, freshman Nila Blackford had 23 points and nine rebounds to lead all players in Kent State's 66-62 loss Saturday afternoon at Ball State.
The Golden Flashes (7-5, 0-1 MAC) led by two at halftime, but long-range shooting during the second half was the difference. Kent State shot 1-for-7 on three-point attempts over the final 20 minutes, while the host Cardinals went 5-for-7.
Sophomore Lindsey Thall sank three-pointers from the top of the circle on back-to-back possessions for a 10-4 lead with 6:43 to play in the opening period. The Flashes made just one of their final 11 shots in the quarter and trailed 16-12.
Kent State went ahead with a 9-0 and held Ball State scoreless until the 4:56 mark in the second. After a three-point field goal by Megan Carter in the final minute, the Flashes' defense forced a shot clock violation to get the ball back with 7.7 seconds on the clock. A careless turnover and subsequent foul led to two Cardinals free throws that trimmed the lead to 26-24 at halftime.
Ball State scored on six of its first seven possessions in the third and took a 38-32 lead following triples by Jasmin Samz and Sydney Freeman. Carter scored four points in the final minute of the period, but Samz drained a three-pointer just before the buzzer to give Ball State a 44-43 lead heading into the final 10 minutes.
Following a Cardinals layup to open the fourth, freshman Katie Shumate answered with a turnaround in the paint and Nila Blackford converted a three-point play on the next Flashes possession to go ahead 48-46. Ball State countered with a 10-2 run over on its next four possessions for a 56-50 lead.
Kent State had one final chance for a comeback, as Blackford sank a free throw with 14.8 remaining to get within 66-62. Blackford followed her miss on the second attempt but was denied on her putback. Ball State was called for traveling after rebounding the miss to give it back to the Flashes with 10.9 on the clock. Kent State was unable to connect on two more shots and time expired.
