Kent State University
10-6,2-5MAC
Buffalo
10-4,4-0MAC
Flashes Fall in Final Minute at First-Place Buffalo
1/17/2022 8:37:00 PM | Women's Basketball
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Sophomore Casey Santoro's contested three-point shot came up short as time expired and Kent State dropped a 65-62 contest at Buffalo on Monday evening.
The Golden Flashes (10-6, 2-5 MAC) took their largest lead of the game, 60-53, on a layup by Lindsey Thall with 4:11 to play, but missed their final seven shots and converted 2-of-4 at the free throw line the rest of the way.
Freshman Bridget Dunn led the way with 13 points, while junior Nila Blackford, Santoro and senior Lindsey Thall scored 11 apiece. Kent State held a 39-30 rebounding advantage, as Blackford grabbed a game-high nine boards and Thall added seven.
The Flashes connected on five of their first seven shots and led 10-6 at the first media timeout. The Bulls made six of their final eight shots in the period, including a three-pointer by Dyaisha Fair in the closing seconds, to lead 22-17.
Kent State locked down defensively in the second period and held Buffalo to 1-of-11 shooting from the field. Dunn drained a three-pointer with 2:13 remaining in the half, but neither team was able to score again, and it was 31-31 heading into the break.
A 5-0 Buffalo run early in the third period gave the hosts their largest lead. It remained a five-point game at the media timeout, before Dunn scored eight points in the final 3:44. Senior Mariah Modkins came up with a steal and split a pair of free throws with 19.9 left in the quarter, and the Bulls led 49-48.
Three-point field goals by Santoro and Thall on Kent State's first two possessions in the fourth were followed by a post finish from Blackford for a 56-49 lead. Buffalo scored the next two baskets to get within three, but Blackford finished strong on her second attempt the next time down the floor. Following a five-second violation on the Bulls, the Flashes took advantage of a mismatch down low, and Thall finished to make it 60-53 with 4:11 left.
Santoro split a pair at the foul line for a 61-58 lead at the 1:18 mark. Fair then drew a foul and sank two free throws, and Buffalo went ahead on a jumper by Summer Hemphill with 59.5 seconds to play following a Flashes turnover.
Two good looks from behind the three-point arc would not fall, but Kent State only trailed by two after Fair split her next two free throws. Santoro drew another foul on a strong take to the basket with 22.7 seconds left and split the pair to get within 63-62. Fair added two more free throws and Kent State regained possession with 14.9 remaining on the clock. After a second timeout was called with 7.3 to play, Santoro found herself trying to create as time neared expiration and had to shoot a stepback three-point over the outstretched hand of a taller defender that was short.
The Flashes' next scheduled contest is Wednesday, Jan. 26 at Northern Illinois.
