Flashes lose 57-50 after seesaw game

Despite seeing one of its key players shoot her way out of a slump, the Kent State women’s basketball team fell on the wrong side of seven lead changes, losing 57-50 against Marshall on Saturday.

Sophomore guard Jena Stutzman, who went 1-for-9 from 3-point territory in the first two games, led the Flashes’ attack with 19 points off the bench.

The sophomore shot 5-for-6 from beyond the arc, with 16 points in the first half and led Kent State with her touch.

With Marshall holding a 19-13 lead with 8:16 to go in the first half, Stutzman’s 3 led to a 7-0 run by the Flashes. Kent State finished the first half with a 17-5 run, with Stutzman accounting for the final eight points of the rally.

“I just took some extra time this week to get some extra shots in the gym, and today I tried not to think about my shot and just play,” Stutzman said. “My teammates did a great job finding me and getting me the ball.”

Stutzman’s teammates, however, struggled with the long shot. Four Flashes combined to shoot 0-for-7 to give Kent State a 38.5 percentage (5-for-13) from behind the arc.

Kent State also couldn’t overcome rebounding and ball control woes.

“We gave up 35 of 57 points by not taking care of the ball and not rebounding,” Kent State coach Bob Lindsay said. “We can’t win games if we continue to do that.”

With seven lead changes in the game, small mistakes became the deciding factor. The Flashes had a season-high 21 turnovers, which Marshall turned into 25 points.

After ending the first half in control of the game, Kent State was silenced. The Flashes shot only 27 percent from the field in the second half.

The Thundering Herd rallied from the six-point deficit at the half to tie the game 46-46 with 7:55 remaining. Then with the score tied, Marshall took control.

The Herd went on an 11-0 run over six minutes, taking their largest lead of the game at 57-46.

Stutzman said the team played too conservative instead of getting the ball down the court.

“I think we played too hesitant today,” Stutzman said. “We didn’t play strong, and we were tentative instead of looking to attack.”

The Flashes attempted to recover, but Marshall junior forward Tynikki Cook’s two blocks on junior guard Jamilah Humes killed the rally attempt. The Herd finished with nine blocks on the game.

Cook’s 13 points, seven rebounds and three blocks highlighted the Herd’s play on both sides of the court. Senior forward Chantelle Handy added 11 points and three steals.

Marshall held a 33-32 advantage in rebounds, but the Herd turned 12 offensive rebounds into 10 points.

Senior forward Yoshica Spears led the Flashes in rebounds for the third game in a row with eight.

“We didn’t play well enough for long enough to win the game,” Lindsay said. “We need to play a full game of good basketball.”

The Flashes wrap up their road swing at Boca Raton, Fla., against Florida Atlantic (2-2) at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Contact sports reporter Lance Lysowski at [email protected]/

Players of the game

Kent State / Freshman guard Jena Stutzman

(19 points, 5-for-6 3-point shooting)

In addition to leading the team in points, Stutzman was also perfect from the foul line, sinking all four of her shots.

Marshall / Junior forward Tynikki Crook

(13 points, 3 blocks)

Crook stuffed junior guard Jamilah Humes twice to stop a comeback rally and also grabbed three offensive boards.