Kent State University
9-5,1-4MAC
Ohio
7-4,1-1MAC
Big Final Period Pushes Bobcats Past Flashes
1/12/2022 10:04:00 PM | Women's Basketball
ATHENS, Ohio — Ohio shot 10-of-17 from the field and scored 26 points during the fourth quarter, as Kent State was unable to maintain the lead it held for the majority of the first 30 minutes in a 70-64 setback on Wednesday evening.
The Golden Flashes (9-5, 1-4 MAC) pulled within 62-61 on a three-point shot by freshman Bridget Dunn with 31.2 seconds remaining. However, the Bobcats were able to score on their next four possessions, while Kent State went scoreless until junior Katie Shumate sank a three-pointer in the closing seconds. Shumate led the Flashes with 18 points and Dunn scored 15 points, matching her career-high for the second game in a row.
Kent State scored the game's first seven points and took a 15-5 lead when junior Clare Kelly banked in a deep three-pointer late in the shot clock at the 1:38 mark. Ohio answered with the final seven points in the period to get within 15-12.
The Flashes remained ahead until the Bobcats pulled even in final minute of the second quarter. Dunn drained a quick trigger triple, and Ohio was able to get a layup basket in closing seconds, as Kent State led 31-30 at halftime.
Turnovers plagued the offense early in the third period, and Ohio surged ahead 40-35 at the media timeout. The Flashes shot 5-of-9 the rest of the quarter and took a 46-44 lead on a layup by junior Nila Blackford.
A 7-0 spurt a few minutes into the final period put the Bobcats ahead 56-53 before Shumate tied it on a three-pointer with 5:37 to play. Kelly evened it again at 58-58 with two free throws at the 3:16 mark, but Kent State was unable to score again until Dunn's triple in the final minute.
Senior Hannah Young totaled 10 points and 10 rebounds for her third double-double of the season. Dunn grabbed a career-high eight boards and Blackford added seven, but the Flashes did not win the rebounding battle for the first time this season, as the teams finished with 43 apiece.
Kent State is scheduled to host the "We Back Pat" game against Eastern Michigan on Saturday, Jan. 15. Tip inside of the M.A.C. Center is set for 1 p.m.
