Flashes battle hard for tournament seeding, but fall in regular season finale at Buffalo

Taylor Rosen

Kent State took their only lead of the game a minute in, and never got back in front as they committed 27 turnovers and fell at Buffalo, 64-51.

The Bulls capitalized on the majority of the Flashes mistakes by scoring 26 points off of the turnovers. 

Ashley Evans led the Flashes in scoring for the second consecutive game with 14 points on 50 percent shooting from the field. Montia Johnson followed with 12 points, and five rebounds. Larissa Lurken added nine points, and seven rebounds.

Kent State head coach Danielle O’Banion prefers the Flashes to run in a three guard set. But on Saturday afternoon they found themselves limited on available players, specifically in their back court and at the guard position. 

Rachel Mendelsohn had to leave the game in the first half with what appeared to be a leg injury. Mikell Chinn fouled out on a three point play with 11 minutes to go in the second half, and at that time her team was only trailing by seven.  

The Bulls (17-12, 10-8 MAC) were able to overcome a dismal two-of-17 from behind the three-point arc, and finished the game shooting 44 percent from the field.

Kristen Sharkey led the Bulls in scoring with 17 on eight of 12 shooting from the field, and Mackenzie Loesing scored 16 points.    

The Flashes (7-22, 4-14 MAC) finished the game at 40 percent from the field, but did manage to out-rebound the Bulls, 35-29.

The Bulls reserves outscored the Flashes, 25-4 and the Bulls also managed to outscore the Flashes in the paint, 44-18. The Bulls were also able to outscore the Flashes in fast break points, 16-2.

The Flashes will be on the road when they play their first game of the MAC tournament this Monday at 7 p.m. 

Contact Taylor Rosen at [email protected].