Kent State University
19-9,11-6MAC
Toledo
24-4,15-2MAC
Charity Stripe Aids Rockets’ Comeback Effort in Final Minutes
3/1/2023 10:01:00 PM | Women's Basketball
TOLEDO, Ohio — Toledo made 11 free throws over the final 3:44 to overcome a five-point deficit, as Kent State dropped a 64-60 contest inside of Savage Arena on Wednesday evening.
The Golden Flashes (19-9, 11-6 MAC) threatened to end the Rockets' 12-game home winning streak against Mid-American Conference opponents, leading by as many as 14 points during the third quarter and by eight to start the fourth.
Senior Katie Shumate continued to play at a high level and finished with 19 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two blocked shots. Graduate student Hannah Young also pulled down eight boards. Junior Casey Santoro added 11 points.
A slow shooting start resulted in Kent State trailing by 12 points late in the opening period before building momentum with the final six on a three-point play by freshman Tatiana Thomas and triple by Shumate.
The Flashes exploded for 28 points on 10-of-13 shooting in the second quarter and made their final eight shot attempts to lead 36-27 at halftime.
Kent State held its guest scoreless over the first four minutes of the third period as the lead reached 14 points. Toledo scored the next six points and the teams traded baskets in the final minute to make it 45-37 after 30 minutes of action.
The Rockets got within two points less than three minutes into the fourth quarter, but the Flashes had a response each time it became a single-possession game and led 54-49 after a basket by Shumate to 3:56 to play.
Four free throws and a layup allowed Toledo to retake the lead, but Shumate answered with two foul shots of her own for a 56-55 lead with 1:23 on the clock. The Rockets followed with another 6-0 run to lead by five, but Shumate scored again, and senior Clare Kelly came up with a steal, as Kent State had a chance to tie it with 38.0 seconds remaining. The Flashes missed a two-point driving attempt following a timeout, and Toledo went back to the free throw line to close it out.
Kent State will hold Senior Day when Northern Illinois visits the M.A.C. Center at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 4 for the regular season finale.
