Kent State University
16-10,8-5MAC
Buffalo
21-4,10-3MAC
Flashes Lose Lead Late at Buffalo
2/19/2025 9:17:00 PM | Women's Basketball
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Kent State led for more than 35 minutes during Wednesday's Mid-American Conference women's basketball contest at Buffalo but left Alumni Arena with a 76-70 loss.
The Golden Flashes (16-10, 8-5 MAC) were ahead by five at the final minute timeout but shot 1-of-8 from the field the rest of the way and were outscored 14-3 over the final 3:29.
Senior Jenna Batsch and sophomore Mya Babbitt scored 17 points each to share the team lead. Babbit sank four three-point field goals to bring her season total to 68, which is three away from the program record. Sophomore Janae Tyler just missed her first double-double and finished with nine points and career-high 10 rebounds
Kent State played stellar defense to start the game and forced the Bulls to miss their first six shots while taking an 8-2 lead. The Flashes then got it going on offense and converted five of the next six shots for a 12-point lead before Buffalo got within 20-11 at the end of the first quarter.
Babbitt drained three triples during the second period to keep the lead at seven with less than 90 seconds until halftime, but the Bulls made a late run to make it 36-35 heading into the locker room.
The teams traded leads back-and-forth in the opening minutes of the third quarter until Kent State scored seven in a row for a 50-44 lead at the 5:26 mark. After extending the lead to nine, the Flashes scored just one point over the last 3:40 and took a 57-52 advantage into the final 10 minutes.
A three-pointer by senior Bridget Dunn and inside basket by Tyler to open the fourth made it a 62-52 game. The lead was five after a jump shot by Batsch with 4:28 to play, but the Bulls scored the next 10 until another Batsch bucket that got the Flashes within 72-69 with 1:13 on the clock. Despite back-to-back defensive stops that provided opportunities to tie the game, Kent State was unable to get any closer.
The Flashes outrebounded their host 34-31 and held the Bulls without any second-chance points.
Kent State returns to action at Ball State on Saturday, Feb. 22 for a national TV broadcast on ESPNU at 12 p.m.
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