Utilizing offensive depth and playmaking, the Kent State women’s basketball team defeated Troy 84-73 in a high-octane scoring affair Saturday.
The win comes off a tough loss to Northern Illinois earlier in the week, and the Flashes responded in fashion with an all-around offensive showing. The team scored in different ways, scored efficiently, limited turnovers and spread the ball around to maximize ball movement.
“We were really sharing the basketball,” coach Todd Starkey said. “Ultimately, we played through Janae [Tyler] in the post, and knocked down some critical threes late that secured the win for us.”
The Flashes’ balanced scoring effort began with their dynamic shot selection. The team scored 48 points in the paint and 30 from 3-point range.
The Flashes also recorded 24 assists compared to 13 turnovers and had four players finish with 12 or more points.
“We typically have been a pretty balanced scoring team,” Starkey said. “When we’re playing like that, we’re really tough to defend.”
Right out of the gate, the Flashes came out strong. The team quickly jumped out to a 27-19 lead after shooting over 50% from the field and from 3-point distance.
The defense also made its presence felt early, holding Troy to shooting splits of 7-20 (35%) from the field and 2-7 (29%) from beyond the 3-point line.
“We came out and had a great first quarter and had great intensity,” Starkey said. “Scoring the ball well early got us going.”
The Flashes fell back to earth in the second quarter with rough shooting splits of 6-21 (29%) and 2-11 (18%) from 3-point range.
That didn’t last for long though, as the Flashes caught fire in the third quarter. The team shot 9-12 (75%) from the field with sophomore forward Janae Tyler scoring 11 of those points.
Tyler also finished as the leading scorer for the Flashes with 26 points on 12-20 shooting. She also added six rebounds and three steals.
For Tyler, her 26 points is a career high.
“You go to the hot hand playing through Janae,” Starkey said. “That’s something we want to try to do on a regular basis.”
Troy began to claw its way back midway through the fourth quarter, cutting the Flashes lead to just four points. Clutch buckets by senior guard Jenna Batsch managed to pad the team’s lead, and the Flashes held on to win comfortably.
“It was a battle the whole way through against a very good team,” Starkey said. “It’s great to get a win on the road against a tough opponent.”
The Flashes offense was clicking on all cylinders, as the team had shooting splits of 34-71 (48%) from the field and 10-25 (40%) from 3-point distance.
The defense stepped up as well, holding Troy to shooting splits of 29-73 (38%) from the field and 5-19 (26%) from beyond the 3-point line.
The Flashes also won the rebounding battle 44-42 against the number one rebounding team in the country, as Troy averages over 50 rebounds a game. That’s nearly three more than the closest team.
“They’re a prolific offensive team,” Starkey said. “They have the ability to put up points. All that being said, we did a pretty good job defensively against them.”
Outside of Tyler, the Flashes had several other plays step up in the win. Batsch, once again, had a great performance with 20 points, seven assists and six rebounds.
Senior forward Bridget Dunn also had a big game with 16 points and eight rebounds. Sophomore guard Mya Babbitt rounds out the notable outings with 12 points and six rebounds.
Troy’s best outing came from junior forward Fortuna Ngnawo, who recorded 25 points and eight rebounds off the bench.
The win moves the Flashes to 16-8 overall with a conference record of 8-3. The team remains tied for second place in the Mid-American Conference.
The loss drops Troy to 15-10 overall with a conference record of 9-3.
The Flashes’ victory also marks the first home loss for Troy this season.
The Flashes will receive a short break for the week before coming home to host Miami (OH) on Saturday. Tipoff is at 1 p.m.
Starkey hopes to use the break to regroup and prepare for the final month of the season.
“We plan on getting some rest, revamping some things and getting ready for the stretch run,” he said. “Everybody in the conference this time of year is playing a difficult schedule, so we have to be up for the challenge.”
John Engoglia is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].