Flashes win regular season finale
Clinch three seed in MAC Tournament
Going into last night’s women’s basketball game, the Flashes needed a win to secure a three seed in next week’s Mid-American Conference tournament.
Kent State earned that spot with a 67-55 victory over Buffalo to complete a season sweep over the Bulls.
The Flashes’ star junior duo of Jamilah Humes and Taisja Jones played as well in the regular season finale as they have all season. The two repeated their success last night as Humes led the Flashes’ offense with 25 points, while Jones added 20 points.
“I thought this was a great way to cap off the season,” Humes said. “I think this game will help carry our momentum into the MAC championship.”
After a back-and forth first half, Buffalo lead at the break 27-24, but Kent State responded in the opening minutes of the second stanza.
With 16:03 left in the game, Humes caught a pass from junior guard Stephanie Gibson and drained a jumper, giving the Flashes the 32-31 lead which they would not relinquish.
Following Humes’ basket, Kent State went on a 6-0 run that was capped off by a free throw by Jones. Buffalo narrowed the deficit to five, but two free throws by Jones and a 3-pointer by sophomore guard Jena Stutzman gave the Flashes the 44-34 lead with 9:06 left in the game.
Humes added that the team increased their intensity in the second half. While Kent State coach Bob Lindsay gave his defense credit, he said the Bulls’ struggles with possession aided the Flashes victory.
“I thought we played better defensively in the second half. I thought we shot the better in the second half and defended (junior forward) Courtney Brown better,” Lindsay said. “They turned the ball over 27 times, and that helped us. I think we pressured better and forced the turnovers.”
Buffalo cut the Flashes’ lead to four at one point in the second half, but Kent State’s free throw shooting in the closing minutes sealed the victory.
Kent State held an early lead in the first half, but a 7-2 run over four minutes of play gave Buffalo the advantage with 12:29 left.
The Flashes gained the lead or tied the game eight times before the conclusion of the first half. The Bulls shot 50 percent from the field in the first half, while Kent State shot 34 percent. The Flashes’ struggles from behind the arc continued as the team shot 0-for-8 from 3-point territory in the first half, but 18 offensive rebounds and Buffalo’s 27 turnovers made the difference.
Since Kent State secured the third seed in the upcoming MAC Tournament, the team will not play until March 10 against the winner of Saturday’s game between the number six and eleven seeds.
Contact sports reporter Lance Lysowski at [email protected].