Kent State University
17-11,9-10MAC
Bowling Green
15-13,10-9MAC
Flashes Drop Final Regular Season Road Contest
3/2/2022 9:50:00 PM | Women's Basketball
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — Senior Lindsey Thall matched her season-high with 22 points to lead all scorers, but Kent State left the Stroh Center with a 69-60 setback to host Bowling Green on Wednesday evening.
Thall made four three-point field goals on the night, tying 2017 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year Larissa Lurken as the Golden Flashes' all-time leader with 212 career triples. The Strongsville native shot 9-of-13 from the field overall and totaled four rebounds, four assists and two blocks.
The Falcons scored the opening basket of the night, but Kent State (17-11, 9-10 MAC) took a 4-2 lead on layups by Thall and senior Hannah Young. Three-pointers in the final three minutes of the first quarter from Thall and freshman Bridget Dunn kept in close, but the Flashes shot just 5-of-15 and trailed 16-14 after 10 minutes of action.
Young began the second period with a layup to even it, and another triple by Dunn gave Kent State a 19-16 lead. Bowling Green countered with a 19-4 run to take its largest lead of the contest. The Flashes chipped away at the deficit with an 8-2 run over the final 1:38 to get within 37-31 at halftime.
It took more than two minutes for either team to score in the third quarter, but the tempo quickened, and the teams traded baskets the rest of the period. Thall's fourth triple of the night brought Kent State within 49-47 at the 2:12 mark. She made all five of her shots for 12 points in the quarter, and the Flashes trailed 54-50 heading to the fourth.
The defense locked in during the final 10 minutes, as the teams combined to shoot just 9-for-29 in the period. Senior Mariah Modkins made two free throws out of the media timeout to get within 62-58 with 4:31 to play. That was as close as it got, as Kent State made just one of its final six shots and BG was able to extend its lead at the charity stripe.
Five Flashes grabbed at least four rebounds to win the battle on the boards, 35-32. Junior Nila Blackford led the way with six rebounds. The team's 16 assists are the most against a Division I opponent this season. Thall and sophomore Casey Santoro shared the lead with four helpers apiece.
Kent State will host Ohio for the regular season finale on Saturday, March 5 at the M.A.C. Center. Tip is scheduled for 1 p.m.
