“In a game that featured 13 ties and 12 lead changes, it was Kent State that got the best of the University of AKron women Saturday. Asheley Harkins’ three-pointer from the left wing with 1:17 left gave KSU a 63-62 lead and proved to be the difference-maker in a tightly contested match-up that saw freshman Kara Murphy record her second double-double of the season.”
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In a game that featured 13 ties and 12 lead changes, it was Kent State that got the best of the University of AKron women Saturday.

Asheley Harkins’ three-pointer from the left wing with 1:17 left gave KSU a 63-62 lead and proved to be the difference-maker in a tightly contested match-up that saw freshman Kara Murphy record her second double-double of the season.

Murphy led all scorers with 23 points, adding 11 rebounds and 5 assists to her impressive day. Keyla Snowden also enjoyed another successful game, adding 19 points and 5 rebounds. She had a chance to tie the contest in the closing seconds with a three ball, however, the shot fell short as Kent State held on for the win.

Both teams played extremely hard and someone had to lose; unfortunately today it was us, UA head coach Jodi Kest said. But I’m extremely proud of the effort level of our team and disappointed that we weren’t able to get the victory.

Snowden had 14 points on 4-for-6 shooting from beyond the arc. She finished with five triples for the game. With the loss, Akron fell to 7-20 overall and 2-11 in Mid-American Conference play.

We had our best three-point shooter shoot the ball with a chance to tie the game, but it just didn’t work out, Kest said.

Ellie Shields led the Golden Flashes (8-17, 5-8) with 15 points and 10 rebounds and was one of four KSU players in double figures. Alisa Brinkman totaled 12, followed by Rachel Bennett (11) and Stephanie Gibson (10).

The first of two consecutive three-point field goals by Snowden gave UA an early 8-4 edge at the first media timeout. But Kent State made the most of a 9-2 team fouls advantage in going to the line seven times in the first eight minutes and tied the game at 15 with 11:50 left.

It was tightly contested the rest of the way as the teams played to five ties and six lead changes with neither team extending its advantage beyond four points. A lay-in by Alisa Brinkman at the 4:49 mark put KSU up 31-27, but Snowden answered with her fourth triple of the opening period to trim the UA deficit to one and force a KSU time out.

The Golden Flashes responded by scoring six of the final nine points before the break to take a 37-33 lead into the locker room. Akron started the second half on an 8-4 run, capped off by a breakaway lay-up by Murphy, to tie the game at 41-all at the 16:57 mark. Even with the outstanding efforts by the star freshmen, it was not enough to topple Kent State.

The Zips will renew their rivalry with the Flashes when KSU visits Rhodes Arena Sunday Mar. 9. The Lady Zip’s next game will be Wednesday night when they travel to Buffalo, N.Y. to face the Bulls. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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” #1.1361257:1522896867.jpg:Snowden, Keyla_OU049.jpg:Keyla Snowden scored 14 points against KSU.:Jeff Harwell / Zips Sports Photography”