The Kent State women’s basketball team had a good year in 2016. Not only did the Flashes record their first .500 month since 2012, but they also tied their win total (six games) from last year in their first 12 games.

Kent State (6-7, 0-1) is limping into 2017, however, as the team dropped their conference opener 91-78 to Central Michigan University (9-4, 1-0) on Saturday.

The Flashes played from behind for most of the contest, as Central Michigan jumped out to a 22-14 lead at the end of the first quarter, and a 40-33 lead at halftime.

Kent State went on a 10-3 run at the start of the third quarter to tie the game up at 43, but that was the closest they would get to taking the lead.

The Flashes were led on offense by senior guard Larissa Lurken, who led the Flashes with 29 points. She was joined in double-figures by junior Jordan Korinek and senior McKenna Stephens, who scored 18 and 10 points, respectively.

Reigning MAC Freshman of the Year Presley Hudson scored a season-high 36 points for the Chippewa’s on 13-19 shooting from the floor, as well as 8-11 shooting from the three-point range. Hudson also picked up six steals. She was complimented on offense by junior Tinara Moore, who picked up 20 points in the victory.

The Flashes will continue conference play on Wednesday when they travel to Muncie, Indiana, to take on Ball State University (8-15, 1-0) in a game that will be televised on ESPN3.

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