Although the Kent State women’s basketball team continued to struggle with consistency in the second half against Western Michigan, the Flashes utilized a strong first-half offensive effort to defeat the Broncos, 79-68, at the M.A.C. Center on Saturday.

The victory snapped Kent State’s (16-6, 7-3) two-game losing streak.

Shortly after the electrifying win for the men’s team, the women’s team went out and did their part to make a successful double-header for Kent State basketball.

After quickly falling to 2-0, a quick layup by senior forward Taisja Jones started the scoring for Kent State, who would not trail the Broncos for the remainder of the game.

From that point on, the team had a tight grip on the lead, and Western Michigan would not see it again.

Playing a solid first half of basketball, the Flashes looked fresh and ready out of the gate.

By attacking the basket early and often, the Flashes were able to get most of their points in the paint and draw numerous fouls.

Converting in the paint was a crucial part of the Flashes game, as the team has been struggling to work together as a team.

“This was definitely more of a team effort,” said senior guard Stephanie Gibson. “We really came out here and had a couple of goals for the game.”

Gibson’s 11 points and 6 assists were a key part of the Flashes’s game plan of being able to drive and kick to the open player.

The biggest piece to the Flashes offensive puzzle continues to be Jones, who finished with 29 points against the Broncos.

But in this offensive battle, several other players also stepped up to help in the effort.

“I’m happy with everyone’s effort tonight,” Jones said. “I really think we played as a team and helped each other out and played as a team.

“Everyone looked for their shots, and I know all of them didn’t go in, but at least they’re shooting.”

Free throw shooting was crucial in Kent State’s win.

As a team, the Flashes were 35-for-42 (83 percent) from the free throw line, where they accounted for almost half of the team’s points.

Jones shot 15-of-16 from the charity stripe and was crucial to the Flashes success from the free throw line, as the Broncos were in foul trouble early in both halves.

The second half was a much different story for the Flashes as the team continues to look like two different basketball teams from half to half.

In the first, Kent State went 46 percent from the floor, but in the second, the Flashes only shot 25 percent, giving the team a shaky 36 percent for the game.

“We were a little bit more balanced than in the last couple of games,” said Bob Lindsay, Kent State coach. “I’d still like to see (Jamilah) Humes shoot the ball better.”

Humes has been struggling, missing some open looks and getting in to foul trouble, but she was replaced by sophomore forward Tamzin Barroilhet, who added 4 points and 2 assists to the offensive effort.

The Flashes showed more improvement on the defensive end of the floor than in past games, but Western Michigan’s perimeter shooting kept the Broncos in the game.

Led by Taylor Manley’s 23 points, the Broncos shot 8-for-19 from the 3-point line to keep the game within striking distance towards the end of the game.

By going back to what they did well in the first half, the Flashes tired out the Broncos by attacking the basket and drawing fouls to seal the victory.

“This was a tough game, real physical, a lot of fouls and sloppy in places on both teams, but I thought we made some plays to get the lead,” Lindsay said. “We were good enough defensively in most places to get the win.

The Flashes will travel to Central Michigan (15-7, 7-3 MAC) to conclude MAC West play next Saturday at 4 p.m.

Contact Matt Lofgren at [email protected].