The Kent State women’s basketball team (16-11, 10-5 Mid-American Conference) outscored Bowling Green State University (7-20, 3-12 Mid-American Conference) in the second half of Wednesday’s game en route to a 70-60 victory over the Falcons.

The Flashes – who now have sole possession of first place in the MAC East – found themselves down 29-27 at halftime, thanks in part to the Falcons collecting 13 offensive rebounds in the first half, which led to nine second-chance points.

The Falcons also held Kent State senior guard Larissa Lurken in check for the first half, as she only had three points going into halftime. Lurken came alive in the second half, however, as she scored 17 points.

“I didn’t expect to be faceguarded; that was a new experience,” Lurken told 640 WHLO Akron’s Dave Wilson after the game. “So, I really struggled to get things going.”

Lurken was joined in double figures by junior forward Jordan Korinek and redshirt freshman Megan Carter, who finished with 18 points and 14 points, respectively.

“They were trying to run us off ball screens,” Carter told Wilson. “Coach (Todd Starkey) just said keep (attacking) and that’s what we did.”

Sophomore guard Alexa Golden also had a strong performance, finishing with eight points to go along with three rebounds and a steal. Golden didn’t play in the first matchup between the two teams.

The Falcons were paced by freshman guard Andrea Cecil, who scored a career-high 14 points in the loss. The Flashes scored a modest 22-56 (39 percent) from the field, while the Falcons were 22-66 (33 percent) from the field and 7-27 (25 percent) from three-point range.

The Flashes will be back in action this Saturday, Feb. 25 when they welcome The University of Akron to the M.A.C. Center for the second leg of the Wagon Wheel series, a game that Starkey said he is looking forward to.

“Once again, everybody’s going to come after you,” Starkey said to Wilson. “Akron’s going (to) come in on Saturday and they’re going to want revenge.”

Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Henry Palattella is the sports editor, contact him at [email protected].