Kent State University
5-3,4-1MAC
Ohio
10-5,8-4MAC
Late Rally Not Enough as Flashes Fall in Return to Action
2/3/2021 9:28:00 PM | Women's Basketball
ATHENS, Ohio — After trimming a 14-point deficit to four, Kent State went scoreless over the final 2:42 while host Ohio paraded to the free throw line during an 85-70 setback on Wednesday evening.
The Golden Flashes (5-3, 4-1 MAC) entered the contest as the lone unbeaten team in the Mid-American Conference women's basketball standings and took the floor for the first time in 25 days after only a few full-team practices to attempt to return to a game-playing conditioning level.
A three-pointer by Kaylee Bambule made it 70-56, matching the Bobcats' largest lead to that point, with 6:57 to play and made it seem that Kent State's first conference defeat was inevitable. The Flashes, however, had other ideas and went on a 10-0 run to get within four with 5:40 remaining on the clock.
Following a driving layup by freshman Casey Santoro, Kent State head coach Todd Starkey called timeout to allow his team to setup its full court pressure. The strategy was successful, as the Bobcats committed turnovers on five straight possessions and allowed the Flashes to convert into quick points. Additionally, Ohio guard Cece Hooks, who had a game-high 29 points, was called for two offensive fouls and disqualified from the contest.
Kent State was unable to complete the comeback and missed its final eight field goal attempts of the night. A pair of free throws by junior Hannah Young at the 2:43 mark made it 74-70, but the Bobcats went on to score the game's final 11 points on 1-of-1 from the floor and 9-of-10 at the charity stripe.
Sophomore Katie Shumate scored a season-high 23 points to lead Kent State. Hannah Young and Casey Santoro provided huge lifts off the bench. Young finished with 11 points and a season-high eight rebounds, while Santoro scored 10 in during the final quarter. Sophomore Nila Blackford filled the stat sheet with nine points, nine rebounds, a career-high four steals and two blocked shots.
The Flashes will begin a stretch of three games in five days at the M.A.C. Center when Miami visits on Saturday, February 6.
