Kent State University
18-10, 11-6MAC
Ohio
17-11, 10-7MAC
Kent State Clinches MAC East Title, First-Round Bye
3/4/2020 10:40:00 PM | Women's Basketball
KENT, Ohio – Kent State defeated Ohio, 81-77, in a first-place divisional showdown at the M.A.C. Center on Wednesday night. The victory guarantees at least a share of the Mid-American Conference East Division championship and a first-round bye in the upcoming conference tournament.
The Golden Flashes (18-10, 11-6 MAC) led for nearly 30 minutes of the contest but fell behind, 77-76, when Caitlyn Kroll connected on a corner three-pointer with 12.1 seconds remaining.
Following a timeout, sophomore Asiah Dingle drew a foul on her baseline drive to the basket, and then calmly sank two free throws to regain the lead with 8.0 on the clock. Freshman Katie Shumate then made the defensive play of the game, drawing an offensive foul on the ensuing defensive possession. A technical was assessed to the Bobcats and Dingle added two more foul shots. The ball was then inbounded to Shumate, who split a pair of free throws for the final score.
Shumate drew 11 fouls on the night and shot 13-for-15 at the charity stripe. She led the Flashes with 20 points and eight rebounds. Redshirt senior Megan Carter contributed 14 points. Freshman Nila Blackford and sophomore Hannah Young added 11 points each.
The Golden Flashes will finish the regular season at Buffalo on Saturday, March 7.
