Kent State University
1-2,1-0MAC
Ohio
2-1,0-1MAC
Record Three-Pointer Performance Gives Kent State Win over Ohio in MAC Opener
12/11/2020 6:36:00 PM | Women's Basketball
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State women's basketball team made a program-record 16 three-point field goals during Friday afternoon's 84-80 victory over Ohio in the Mid-American Conference opener for both teams at the M.A.C. Center.
The Golden Flashes (1-2, 1-0 MAC) shot an impressive 16-of-28 from long range for the game, with five players contributing multiple makes. Excellent ball movement created open shots throughout the game, as Kent State finished with 22 assists, its most against a Division I opponent since a game against Eastern Michigan on February 8, 2017.
Sophomore Katie Shumate scored a team-high 18 points to lead six Flashes in double-figures. Junior Mariah Modkins contributed a career-high 15 points and tallied eight assists, her most against a Division I opponent. Freshman Casey Santoro and sophomore Clare Kelly added 14 apiece. Sophomore Nila Blackford registered her first double-double of the season with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Junior Lindsey Thall had 11 points and season-best four blocked shots.
A rare eight-point possession early in the fourth quarter allowed Kent State to take the lead for good. The Flashes took advantage of a flop by an Ohio player, as Mariah Modkins delivered the ball to an open Nila Blackford in the paint for a strong finish through a foul that tied that game at 63-63. Following a technical foul on Ohio, Blackford completed the three-point play and Lindsey Thall added two more free throws. Kent State retained possession, and Thall skipped the ball over the defense to Clare Kelly for an open three-pointer.
Ohio's best chance to tie the game came with 22.3 seconds remaining when Erica Johnson, who had a game-high 29 points, stepped to the line for two shots in a 79-77 contest. Johnson sank both attempts but had the second taken away after committing a lane violation.
After the teams traded free throws, the Flashes used their final timeout to advance the ball into the frontcourt with 6.9 seconds to play. Katie Shumate was able to curl around her defender and finish with her left hand while being pushed from behind off a terrific pass from Kelly. Shumate made the free throw for an 84-80 lead. Ohio's three-point shot following a timeout missed and Monique Smith tracked it down and threw an outlet pass to run out the clock.
Kent State will play its third game in five days when it visits Toledo for a MAC contest at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
