Kent State University
7-4,6-2MAC
Bowling Green
15-4,11-3MAC
Flashes Fight to Final Buzzer in OT Setback to Falcons
2/10/2021 9:11:00 PM | Women's Basketball
KENT, Ohio — A putback layup with 2.0 seconds left in overtime allowed Bowling Green to escape the M.A.C. Center with an 80-79 victory in a battle for first place in the Mid-American Conference standings on Wednesday night.
Sophomore Nila Blackford's layup attempt was blocked as time expired, spoiling an eventful five-day stretch for the Golden Flashes (7-4, 6-2 MAC). Just three days after returning to the court for the first time since January 9, Kent State got a putback of its own with 1.8 seconds left in regulation to beat Miami on Saturday and then needed overtime to take down Toledo on Monday afternoon.
Blackford led all players with 23 points and 13 rebounds for yet another double-double, which seems to be a nightly feat for the forward from Louisville. Junior Lindsey Thall posted season-best totals of 18 points, including four crucial free throws during overtime, and seven boards. Sophomore Katie Shumate added 15 points and sophomore Clare Kelly showcased her versatility with 11 points, five rebounds, four assists and zero turnovers.
Kent State missed its first three shots of the night and fell behind 4-0 before taking the lead on three-pointers by Lindsey Thall and Clare Kelly. Bowling Green answered with a three-pointer to go back in the lead. The Falcons closed the opening period with a 6-2 run to lead 16-12.
Bowling Green took its largest lead of the night, 20-14, in the just over a minute into the second quarter. The Flashes answered with a 10-2 to regain the lead, but the Falcons scored the next six points. Kent State held its guest to only one field goal in the final six minutes of the second to take a 33-32 lead into the locker room.
The teams exchanged the lead six time during the third quarter, and the contest was tied 46-46 at the 2:43 mark. Kent State closed the period strong and Clare Kelly's three-pointer in the closing seconds gave it a 54-49 lead through 30 minutes of action.
Blackford made two clutch shots late in the fourth quarter, splashing a three-pointer and followed her own miss with a jumper in the lane, to tie it at 70-70. After rebounding a contested layup attempt, the Flashes called timeout and had to go the length of the court with just 2.5 remaining. The ball was thrown to Katie Shumate on the move near midcourt. After taking two dribbles, Shumate launched from just over 30 feet out but was unable to get the shot to fall.
Bowling Green struck immediately in overtime with Lexi Fleming running down the tip for a layup ahead of the defense. Kent State shot 1-of-7 from the floor in the extra session, but the lone basket was a big one, as Blackford beat her defender on a drive across the lane and finished for a 79-78 lead with 10.2 seconds to play. Shumate contested a floater attempt in the lane by Fleming, but Angela Perry grabbed the board on the weakside and put it back up and in with 2.0 showing on the game clock.
Kent State called timeout to advance the ball into the frontcourt and lobbed a pass into Blackford a few feet above the block. Blackford was able to get a step on her defender with a quick first step, but a secondary defender flew in from the top of the key and was able to knock the ball away as Blackford released her layup attempt.
Kent State will travel to preseason MAC favorite Central Michigan for the first of four consecutive road games for a 1 p.m. tip on Saturday, February 13.
