Utilizing a terrific start, the Kent State Women’s basketball team kicked off the Puerto Rico Clasico tournament with a 74-51 win over Brown Thursday.
The Flashes’ first quarter performance went as well as possible, with the team taking a 25-11 lead. Brown was held to 4-13 (31%) shooting during that stretch while the Flashes went 8-14 (57%); it was the team’s best shooting quarter of the game.
The Flashes never let up following the strong start, as the team held a comfortable lead for the rest of play. It’s the team’s third straight win by 20 points or more.
The resurgent offense for the Flashes continues to impress, the team shot 25-49 (51%) from the field and 6-14 (43%) from three-point range. Most importantly, the Flashes were able to limit turnovers to just 15, which ties the second-lowest mark of the season.
The Flashes defense was also physical and active all game. Brown was held to just 19-59 (32%) shooting and 5-27 (19%) from three. The Bears also committed 17 turnovers and only went to the free throw line 13 times.
Sophomore guard Mya Babbitt, once again, led the way for the Flashes. She scored 16 points on 6-11 shooting and grabbed five rebounds. Senior guard Jenna Batsch also performed well – she scored 13 points on 3-6 shooting in just 17 minutes of play.
Junior guard Dionna Gray continues to impress since returning from injury; she finished with 12 points (3-7) and five assists. Junior forward Tatiana Thomas was also big coming off the bench – she filled up the statsheet with 12 points, five rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks.
Brown players were primarily held in check for most of the game. The team’s most notable performance came from senior center Gianna Aiello who finished with 13 points and eight rebounds.
Game two: Colorado State
Poor shooting and a rough second half doomed the Kent State women’s basketball team in a 60-54 loss to Colorado State Friday.
The Flashes could not get into an offensive rhythm, as the team shot 19-66 (29%) from the field and 8-27 (30%) from three-point range.
The offense struggled throughout the whole game, but it was during the second half when the wheels finally came off. The Flashes led 33-23 after the end of the first half with the offense playing sluggish, but three-point shooting kept the team ahead (7-14 for the half).
However, things took a turn for the worst as the offense shot 6-30 (20%) in the second half. This includes 1-13 (8%) from three-point distance.
The team only scored 21 points during the second half. The Flashes were outscored by 16 points.
The Flashes also only had 11 assists on the day. Uncharacteristically, turnovers were not an issue for the team (13) as the Flashes tend to turn the ball over when shooting a low percentage.
The Flashes are averaging a little over 17 turnovers a game so far this season.
Almost the entire team struggled with shooting. Gray scored 13 points but shot 4-21 (19%) from the field.
Batsch finished with 10 points but shot 3-12 (25%). Babbitt, who has been a steady offensive presence for the Flashes, also couldn’t find her shooting stroke.
She shot 3-9 (33%) and 2-7 (29%) from three.
The Flashes did a pretty good job defensively, but the offense just couldn’t keep up. Colorado State was held to 20-56 (36%) shooting from the field and 7-25 (28%) from three-point distance.
The game marks the end of the Puerto Rico Clasico tournament held in San Juan, where the Flashes went 1-1.
The Flashes move to 4-4 on the season while Colorado State improves to 6-2. The Flashes will have a short break before traveling to take on Niagara Thursday. Tipoff is at 3 p.m.
John Engoglia is a reporter, contact him at [email protected].