2017KSEKUW

Kent State vs. Eastern Kentucky University (Women)

Paul S. McBrayer Arena

Eastern Kentucky University

Richmond, KY

December 5, 2017

Kent State coach Todd Starkey started the following lineup: 6-0 So. Ali Poole, 6-0 GR. McKenna Stephens, 6-3 Sr. Jordan Korinek, 5-5 Sr. Naddiyah Cross, and 5-9 Jr. Alexa Golden.  Eastern Kentucky University coach Chrissy Roberts countered with 5-11 Jr. Abby Wright, 5-11 Fr. Bria Bass, 6-2 Jr. Madison Pierce, 5-8 Jr. A’Queen Hayes, and 5-8 So. Shay Solomon.

Eastern Kentucky led 52-47 with 46 seconds remaining in regulation but Kent State’s Naddiyah Cross hit a three point basket with seven seconds remaining in regulation to tie the score at 54-54.  Eastern Kentucky could not connect on a late shot and the game went to overtime.  Kent State dominated play in the extra five minutes and earned a 65-57 victory.  Eastern Kentucky outscored the Golden Flashes 22-9 in the third quarter and entered the final quarter with a 43-35.  The score was tied five times and there were five lead changes in the game.

Kent State shot 38.9% from the field including five of 21 from the three point line.  The Golden Flashes connected on eight of 10 free throws, pulled down 45 rebounds, and scored 15 points off 15 Eastern Kentucky turnovers.  They also held a 19-2 advantage in bench scoring and a 15-5 advantage in second chance points.  Eastern Kentucky shot 40% from the field including six of 20 from beyond the arc.  The Colonels connected on nine of 15 free throws, pulled down 31 rebounds, and scored 13 points off 17 Kent State turnovers.

Naddiyah Cross led Kent State with 19 points including two three point baskets and four rebounds.  McKenna Stephens added 11 points and five rebounds.  Jordan Korinek recorded 10 points and five rebounds.  6-4 Jr. Merissa Barber-Smith added nine points, 15 rebounds, and four blocked shots.

Abby Wright led Eastern Kentucky with 19 points including three three point baskets, four rebounds, and three assists.  A’Queen Hayes added 16 points including two three point baskets, seven rebounds, three assists, and three steals.  Bria Bass chipped in with 12 points and six rebounds.

Kent State,10,16,9,19,11,65

Eastern Kentucky,15,6,22,11,3,57

Kent State (65) – Poole 4, Stephens 11, Korinek 10, Cross 19, Golden 2, Toles 3, Barber-Smith 9, James 7.

Eastern Kentucky (57) – Wright 19, Bass 12, Pierce 2, Hayes 16, Solomon 6, T. Richardson 2.

A special thanks to the Eastern Kentucky Stats Crew for providing the comprehensive statistics for tonight’s game.