The Kent State women’s basketball team went on an 8-0 scoring run, which was capped off by junior forward Bridget Dunn, tying the game at 77-77 with 18.8 seconds remaining.

However, a foul on the next possession sent Ohio to the free-throw line for the game-winning free throws.

The Bobcats (7-16, 4-8 MAC) defeated the Flashes 79-77 Wednesday in Athens, and coach Todd Starkey’s team allowed its most points since an 87-76 loss against Toledo Jan. 19.

“Overall, I thought our defensive side of the ball really let us down today,” he said. “We can’t give up 79 points in conference play. 

“I expect to win games like that because our defense is better than that, but it’s as good as I’ve seen Ohio play in a long time.”

Redshirt senior Katie Shumate recorded 11 rebounds and a career-high 27 points for her fifth double-double of the season. 

“The first half was unbelievable,” Starkey said. “She was in some ways one of the only players that really showed up, from start to finish tonight. I thought our players had moments, but she gave us everything she had.”

In the first half, Shumate tallied 22 points on 7-of-10 shooting and connected on four three-pointers.

Ohio had three-point shots on its first possession, and the Flashes followed with eighth shots in a row, forming a 20-10 lead. 

OU responded with a 10-3 scoring run to cut the deficit to 23-20 at the end of the first quarter.

During the second quarter, KSU shot 38%, as the Bobcats shot 47%.

The Flashes went into halftime leading 42-41.

The Bobcats had four three-pointers during the third quarter and shot 8-of-14 overall from the field, and led 61-57 going into the fourth quarter. 

Ohio started the final quarter by making five consecutive shots to take its largest lead of the night, 75-65.

“We tried to match up with them a little bit more with perimeter, and that didn’t help us either,” Starkey said. “Once again, you kind of try certain things when a team is in rhythm like that, and it either throws them off or doesn’t.”

A KSU basket was waved off by an offensive foul call. Another turnover was created with 4.7 seconds left, but the attempt to score was unsuccessful.

“I liked our execution down the stretch. I thought we gave ourselves an opportunity to win,” Starkey said. “We had two good looks at it. You need some things to go your way, and they didn’t go our way.”

The Flashes shot 41% as a team and connected on 10 three-pointers. Ohio shot 50% and made 11 three-pointers.  

The Flashes committed 16 turnovers, resulting in 15 points.

“We had too many costly turnovers, so I knew this was going to be a tough game for us,” Starkey said. “They’ve got a winning record at home, and it’s always a tough matchup. 

“It was a tough loss for us, but we got to have a short-term memory and move on to the next.”

The Flashes had three players score in double digits: Shumate (27), junior forward Jenna Batsch (15 points), and Dunn (13 points). 

OU had four players score in double figures: Jaya McClure (26), Kate Dennis (14), Kennedi Watkins (11) and Monica Williams (11).

The Flashes will return to the M.A.C. Center on Saturday to face their rival Akron at 1 p.m. 

In the first matchup of the season, Kent State defeated Akron 69-60 Jan. 20.

Akron is 9-15 overall and 4-9 in the conference.

Junior forward Reagan Bass leads Akron in scoring with 16.5 points per game and is the only MAC player averaging double-digit rebounds.

The Flashes leading scorer is Shumate with 14.7 points per game.  

All-time, KSU is 59-16 against the Zips.

“Hopefully, this stings,” Starkey said, “We’re going to play a lot better moving into our next game.”

Emily Lowen is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected]