Despite Kent State shooting 70 percent from the field in the first half, the Flashes allowed the Falcons to shoot nine of 18 from behind the three point line and fell at Bowling Green, 82-38.

“That really puts Bowling Green in their comfort zone, they love it when your defense is chasing them around,” said Kent State head coach Danielle O’Banion during the postgame show on the iHeartRadio network. “When they’re making that many three pointers like they did tonight, it just doesn’t end well for the opponent.”

The Falcons (24-3, 14-1 MAC) showed why they are the top ranked team in the conference and undefeated at home on Thursday night by shooting 29 of 51 from the field.

“Bowling Green is a legitimate and NCAA double tournament team, regardless of whether or not they win the M.A.C. tournament. I’ve said that a number of times, and I really believe that,” O’Banion said.

CiCi Shannon led the Flashes with a near double-double on the night.

Shannon scored 10 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and recorded her fifth five block performance of the season. Ashley Evans followed with eight points, and Amber Dunlap added six points, and two assists.

The Flashes (6-20, 3-12 MAC) finished the game shooting 37 percent from the field, and were outscored by the Falcons in the second half, 41-12.

“In the second half I thought Bowling Green was the more aggressive team, and our players quite honestly were discouraged,” O’Banion said. “We made some really bad decisions defensively and the game got away from us.”

The Falcons forced the Flashes into committing 22 turnovers, and they scored 28 points off of those turnovers.

“On the flip side you have Bowling Green who shot 63 percent in the first half, which is astronomical,” O’Banion said. “At the same time for us to come on the road and shoot 71 percent in the half, you just wonder what would have been if we took better care of the basketball.”

The Flashes will play Akron on senior day in their final home game of the season on Sunday at 2 p.m.

“Tonight was a tough night for us,” O’Banion said. “But we’re excited about an opportunity to come back to the M.A.C. Center on Sunday and play in a big rivalry game, and to certainty represent ourselves in a better way.”

Contact Taylor Rosen at [email protected].