Kent State women lose in OT to OU

In a game that saw 15 lead changes, the Kent State women’s basketball team lost 75-71 in overtime to Ohio yesterday.

“All I can say is that God was with us tonight. We got a second chance as far as overtime . We knew it was going to be a fight to the end. I didn’t quite think it was going to be a fight like this, though, ” Ohio coach Sylvia Crawley told WOUB-AM’s Kevin Hunt.

After coming back from an eight-point deficit, it looked like the Flashes had the game won in regulation after the Bobcats, trailing 64-62, were forced to foul freshman guard Jamilah Humes with just seconds remaining in the game. But Humes would miss both shots.

Ohio junior Lauren Kohn proceeded to get off one final shot that seemed to bounce harmlessly off the rim to end the game. However, after a discussion between the officials, a foul was called that sent Kohn to the line. Kohn, an 85.4 percent free-throw shooter, made both shots to send the game to overtime.

Senior guard Kristin Peoples scored six points in overtime for Kent State (12-11, 8-5 Mid-American Conference), but once again, it was Kohn taking over late as she outscored Kent State 4-1 in the final two minutes to give Ohio the four-point victory.

Foul shots haunted the Flashes, who shot just 16-27 from the free-throw line, while Ohio shot 24-27.

Peoples led Kent State with 19 points. Senior forward La’Kia Stewart secured her seventh double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Kent State is now 1-1 in overtime games this season and will play 2 p.m. Saturday against Akron at the M.A.C. Center.

Contact women’s basketball reporter Tyler McIntosh at [email protected].