The struggles continued for the Kent State women’s basketball team in a 84-60 road loss to the Belmont Bruins on Sunday, despite three players reaching career-highs in points.

Junior forward Montia Johnson scored 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds in 27 minutes for the Flashes (1-4). Freshman guard Larissa Lurken finished with 17 points, and junior center CiCi Shannon reached career-highs of 14 points and 10 rebounds.

The Flashes got off to a quick start in the first half, going on an 11-6 run to take a 7-point lead early. But the Bruins took over the game quickly and built a double-digit lead behind 50 percent shooting in the first half compared with the Flashes’ 27 percent shooting.

Belmont led 43-23 by halftime.

Kent State attempted to get back in the game as the second half began, scoring 7 straight points to chip away at the deficit. Utilizing a full-court press, the Flashes forced four Belmont turnovers and turned them into points on the fast break.

However, the deficit proved to be too much to erase completely. While the Flashes improved on their shooting in the second half, the Bruins kept their shooting percentage at or about 50 percent for a majority of the game.

The Flashes shot just 23 percent from 3-point range, converting on just 3-of-11. The team also committed 15 turnovers and was outrebounded 51-34.

Kent State will get a week of preparation before competing in the David Jones Classic next weekend. The Flashes will take on the Houston Cougars at 2:30 p.m. Saturday and the Stephen F. Austin State Lumberjacks at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Contact Megan McEldowney at [email protected].