Kent State University
8-6,7-4MAC
Northern Illinois
11-7,9-4MAC
Kent State Earns Big Road Victory at NIU
2/20/2021 6:57:00 PM | Women's Basketball
DEKALB, Ill. — Kent State held host Northern Illinois without a field goal over the final 3:45 to record a big win, 69-65, on Saturday afternoon.
The Golden Flashes (8-6, 7-4 MAC) closed the game with a 10-2 run to get back in the win column after losing three in a row. Kent State's defense was stellar throughout the 40 minutes in holding the Huskies 11 points under their season average. The Flashes registered season-high totals in points off the turnovers (25), steals (11) and blocks (9).
The game was tied at the final media timeout, but Northern Illinois scored on its first two possessions that followed for a 63-59 lead with 3:46 to play. With her team needing a basket, sophomore Nila Blackford refused to be denied and scored on her third attempt in the lane, drawing a foul in the process. She was unable to complete the three-point opportunity but grabbed a rebound for a stop on the other end of the floor. Junior Lindsey Thall then split a pair of shots at the charity stripe after drawing a foul on a strong drive to the basket. Following an offensive foul on the Huskies, sophomore Katie Shumate found Thall for an opener three-pointer and a 65-63 lead. Shumate pushed the lead to four with a drive into the paint and shot over her defender. Junior Mariah Modkins, who scored all eight of her points in the fourth period, made two free throws with 9.1 on the clock to push it back to a four-point lead.
Nila Blackford led all players with 19 points and nine rebounds. Despite only playing 22 minutes due to foul trouble, Lindsey Thall had 12 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. Freshman Lexi Jackson provided quality minutes in Thall's place during the first half and finished with a career-high six rebounds to go with two points and two rejections. Katie Shumate added 10 points and a team-high three steals. Mariah Modkins played a terrific floor game, totaling six assists, two steals and a blocked shot.
Kent State and Northern Illinois will tip again on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET on ESPN3.
