Kent State University
15-8,9-3MAC
Ohio
8-16,5-8MAC
Flashes’ Comeback Falls Short at the Convo
2/21/2024 10:06:00 PM | Women's Basketball
ATHENS, Ohio — Kent State evened the score after trailing by 10 with less than five minutes to play before falling to Ohio, 79-77, Wednesday evening at the Convocation Center. Junior Bridget Dunn's third three-pointer of the game tied it with 18.8 seconds remaining, but a foul on the defensive end led to the go-ahead free throws for the host.
The Golden Flashes (15-8, 10-3 MAC) were led by redshirt senior Katie Shumate, who matched her career-high with 27 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season. Shumate had 22 points on 7-of-10 shooting at halftime. Juniors Jenna Batsch (15 points) and Dunn (13 points) combined for 15 of the team's 20 points in the fourth quarter. In just her third career start, sophomore Dionna Gray had a career-high eight assists and only one turnover.
After Ohio drained three-point shots on its first two possessions, the Flashes made eight shots in a row to build a 20-10 lead. The Bobcats responded with a run to get within 23-20 at the end of the first quarter.
A slow offensive start to the second period was sparked by a technical foul on the Ohio bench, as Shumate sank two free throws and added a three-pointer shortly after to extend the lead to eight. The Flashes made just two field goals the rest of the quarter and led 42-41 at halftime.
The Bobcats made four three-pointers during the third quarter and shot 8-of-14 overall from the field to take a 61-57 lead. After not scoring on the first possession of the fourth, Ohio knocked down five shots in a row to take its largest lead of the night, 75-65, with 4:38 to play.
Kent State increased its defensive pressure and forced five turnovers and tie it. The fifth team foul of the quarter sent the Bobcats to the free throw line for the go-ahead shots with 10.3 seconds to play. After advancing the ball, a Flashes basket was waved off by an offensive foul call. The defense created another turnover with 4.7 seconds on the clock, but the tying shot at the buzzer was off the mark.
The Flashes will return to the M.A.C. Center on Saturday, Feb. 24 to battle rival Akron.
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