Kent State University
7-4,1-0MAC
Buffalo
6-5,0-1MAC
Kent State Beats Buffalo to Start #MACtion with Road Victory
1/3/2024 8:28:00 PM | Women's Basketball
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Kent State made nine three-point shots in the first half and led by as many as 21 in a 73-64 victory at Buffalo in the Mid-American Conference opener for both teams Wednesday night.
The Golden Flashes (7-4, 1-0 MAC) were led by hot shooting performances from redshirt senior Katie Shumate, junior Bridget Dunn and sophomore Corynne Hauser. Shumate drained three shots from long range in the first quarter and finished with a team-high 18 points. Dunn made a career-high four three-pointers and totaled 14 points and 10 rebounds for her first double-double in a Kent State uniform. Hauser finished with 10 points and seven assists.
Kent State scored the first seven points of the game and never allowed Buffalo to get closer than four. Shumate made a trio of three-pointers and scored 11 points in the period to help build a 21-15 lead.
Shots continued to find the bottom of the net in the second quarter, as three-pointers by Dunn and Hauser pushed the lead to double-digits and forced timeout to be called just 90 seconds in. The defense took over from there and forced seven turnovers while allowing the Bulls to shoot just 2-of-12 in the period. Dunn and Hauser also closed the quarter with three-pointers to make it 41-20 at halftime.
Buffalo scored the first eight points of the second half and threatened to get within single-digits, but the Flashes took advantage of foul trouble and went 8-of-10 at the free throw line over the final 3:43 to lead 55-35.
Despite the Bulls making their first five shots from behind the three-point line in the fourth quarter, Kent State never allowed its host to get closer than eight points.
The Flashes will host Ohio for the first home conference game on Saturday. Tip is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the M.A.C. Center.
Be sure to follow Kent State Women's Basketball on X, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the team.
