Kent State women’s basketball gained the lead with 9:29 left in the second quarter and kept it until 8:12 left in the fourth quarter. 

The Flashes slowly watched their lead diminish against the University of Buffalo, Saturday afternoon, after the Bulls tied the game at 35-35. The Flashes and Bulls were tied until 6:06 when freshman guard Dyaisha Fair broke the tie for Buffalo. Her free throw, followed by a layup from sophomore forward Adebola Adeyeye helped the Bulls gain a 38-35 lead.

It was all Buffalo needed as it wouldn’t lose the lead again, defeating Kent State 57-44. 

“I thought we had a good game plan for them. I thought we prepared the right way to beat them. I thought we showed some evidence, especially defensively in the first half, of what we wanted to do. Obviously we did not execute and score in the way that we’re capable of,” coach Todd Starkey said. 

Senior Megan Carter played in her first game back since Kent State’s 74-69 loss against Eastern Michigan on Jan.8. She came off the bench after the senior guard was out sick for three games with mono. This season she’s played over 400 minutes and averages 12.3 points per game. 

During Carter’s absence, the Flashes played with a predominantly younger team, having a starting team of mostly freshmen and sophomores. With Carter back on the court, she provided more rebounds throughout the game. 

“I think Megan gave about what she was capable of giving. She was one rebound short of leading us in rebounding. That’s more evidence of our lack of toughness,” Starkey said. 

In the first half Carter led the team to seven points, but it would be all she would score as Buffalo held her to her lowest scoring game since Kent State’s 92-35 win against Hiram College on Dec.30. 

The Flashes had no players score double digits. Freshman forward Nila Blackford led the team in scoring with eight points. She was tied with sophomore Lindsey Thall for most rebounds with seven. 

“We’re trying to run certain things and get it to certain people and we just thought we played a little bit too selfish on the offensive side. We had opportunities to finish, we didn’t go up strong, too many turnovers down the stretch,” Starkey said.

Sophomore guard Asiah Dingle helped add to the Flashes offense playing 19 minutes with eight points – tied for most with Blackford – one rebound and one assist. 

The bench provided support with 18 points combined. Carter led the bench with seven points. Sophomore guard Mariah Modkins was second with total points scored off the bench with five, three rebounds and one assist. 

Kent State’s next game will be Wednesday Jan. 29 against Ball State at 7 p.m. in the M.A.C. Center. 

Contact Amanda Levine at [email protected].