Senior Day did not go as planned for the Kent State women’s basketball team as the Buffalo Bulls ousted the Flashes, 68-58, on Saturday.

The Flashes (5-24, 3-15 Mid-American Conference) started from behind early in the game.  Buffalo took a quick 2-0 lead to start off the game, and Kent State was left playing catch up.

Kent State redshirt senior center CiCi Shannon was fouled at the 13 minute mark in the first half, and accidentally got blood on her jersey. After temporarily leaving the game to pick up her replacement jersey, she came out with number 34, former NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal’s number.

From there, she started playing like him, too.

Shannon finished the first half with 10 points, four rebounds, two blocks and a steal. Wanting to end her senior season on the right note, she put the team on her back in the first half, but unfortunately, the Flashes still found themselves down 31-29 at halftime.

In the second half, the Flashes hit a cold streak and couldn’t find the basket. The team opened the half shooting 12 percent from the field and missed 13 of their first 14 shots.

Despite the offensive struggles, Coach Danielle O’Banion said she applauds the toughness her team showed throughout the game.

“We talked about being the first one to throw a punch, not literally, but being in the mindset where we would be a physical team first,” O’Banion said.  

The teamed dominated the paint all game long. By the end of the game, the Flashes scored 32 points down low. The Flashes also received good play from their bench, as they outscored Buffalo, 17-12.

However, the Achilles’ heel for the team was committing fouls and sending their opponent to the free-throw line. Kent State only shot nine free throws all game as opposed to Buffalo’s 32, including 18 in the second half.  

Offensive rebounding and turnovers also plagued the team. The Flashes gave up 14 offensive rebounds, which turned into 17 second-chance points for Buffalo, and they turned the ball over 17 times, which led to 18 for their opposition.  

Although her team did not get the win, Shannon still finished the game on a high note. She scored the final basket of the game and finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks and four steals, earning her ninth double-double of the season.  

O’Banion said despite the loss, she was happy Shannon was able to end her season on a high note in her final home game.

“CiCi was our first commitment when (my coaching staff and I) got here,” she said. “You never have favorites, but you always appreciate the ones that believed in you before anybody else.”

Sophomore guard Larissa Lurken scored 11 points, and redshirt freshman forward McKenna Stephens chipped in with eight points off the bench. Senior guard Mikell Chinn dished out six assists and came up with three steals to wrap up her senior day.  

The team now has its eyes set on the MAC tournament, where they will travel to face Eastern Michigan on Monday night. Kent State lost to the Eagles 56-69, back on Feb. 4. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m.

Contact Quentin Smith at [email protected].