A team that is getting used to a first-year head coach will experience growing pains at some point during a long season.

That was the case yesterday when the Golden Flashes fell victim to the Akron Zips 93-58 in front of 788 at James A. Rhodes Arena in Akron.

Akron (11-4, 2-0 Mid-American Conference) took an 18-3 lead over the Flashes six minutes into the game and kept it for the rest of the afternoon. The Zips used their up-tempo play on the offensive and defensive ends to jump on the Flashes early and often, taking a 54-21 lead into halftime.

Kent State coach Danielle O’Banion credited Akron’s ability to create possession changes after missed shots into transition baskets.

“When we had opportunities to be competitive, the ball didn’t go through the net, and that created very quick transitional opportunities for Akron which is what they do,” O’Banion said. “The most important thing after a game like this is to reclaim our identity.”

Kent State, coming off a 69-33 loss at Bowling Green on Thursday, fell to 2-13 on the season (0-2 in MAC play).

O’Banion says the team’s struggles are a result of trying to implement a system and mindset that shows the results that pay off from the hard work the team puts in every practice and game. Although it’s a challenge, she believes the team is heading in the right direction.

“Right now, it’s about improvements and focusing on goals that drive our success. We also need to create winning habits,” O’Banion said.

Despite the recent struggles, the team is in good spirits.

“Obviously a game like this hurts because it’s our rival and we didn’t play to our potential, but we have to get back in the gym tomorrow and improve so that we can go out and win the next one,” said senior guard Trisha Krewson.

The Flashes will host Buffalo at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the M.A.C. Center.

Contact Kevin Battaglia at [email protected].