Kent State University
8-4,0-3MAC
Akron
4-4,1-1MAC
Santoro Scores 21 in Rivalry Game
1/5/2022 10:07:00 PM | Women's Basketball
KENT, Ohio — Sophomore Casey Santoro scored a career-high 21 points in Kent State's 62-61 setback to rival Akron on Wednesday evening at the M.A.C. Center.
The Golden Flashes (8-4, 0-3 MAC) trailed by as many as nine in the fourth quarter before rallying to get within one and forcing a turnover with 19.3 seconds on the clock. As time neared expiration, Santoro drove the baseline and passed to freshman Bridget Dunn, whose rushed shot was off the mark at the buzzer.
Kent State made just three of its first 15 shots to begin the night and trailed by nine with under a minute to play in the first quarter. Santoro then drained a three-pointer to get within six. The Flashes scored the first eight points in the second period to make it 11 in a row and take a 19-15 lead. Kent State did not relinquish its lead the rest of the half and was ahead 30-27 going into the locker room.
Akron scored the first 11 points in the third quarter to lead by eight, but the Flashes fought back to make it 42-42 going into the fourth after a basket by junior Nila Blackford with under a minute to play in the period.
Ten of the first 12 points in the final quarter went to the Zips, and the visitors led 60-51 with just 3:35 remaining.
Kent State scored on four of its next five possessions, including three-pointers by Dunn and junior Clare Kelly, and got within 62-61 when Santoro made two free throws with 31.3 to play. A trap in the halfcourt caused the Zips to throw the ball out of bounds and give the Flashes a chance to win on the final possession, but the shot would not go down.
Blackford grabbed a season-high 17 rebounds to lead Kent State to a 45-36 rebounding advantage. Four additional Flashes had five rebounds apiece. Santoro recorded four of the team's seven assists.
Kent State is scheduled to play at Buffalo on Saturday at 1 p.m.
