ELON, N.C. – Kent State missed shots on three consecutive possessions in the final minute before knocking down a three-pointer at the buzzer in a 66-63 loss to host Elon on Saturday night.
The Golden Flashes (1-3) took a 60-59 lead on a driving layup by junior Tatiana Thomas, who scored a career-high 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds, with 1:20 remaining. The Phoenix answered with a jump shot to go ahead as the clock reached 1:00 and followed by making five of six free throws to hold on for the victory.
Kent State used its height advantage to lead 36-20 in points in the paint and 44-32 in rebounding. Sophomore Riley Rismiller scored 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting and grabbed eight boards, while senior Bridget Dunn had a team-high 10 rebounds.
After trailing by six early, the Flashes battled back to tie it in the final minute of the first quarter before a late free throw gave Elon a 13-12 lead.
Rismiller scored 8 points in the second period to help Kent State lead 25-22 at halftime.
The Flashes led by six, the largest of the night, midway through the third quarter, but the Phoenix closed with a 16-6 to take a four-point lead heading into the final 10 minutes.
Senior Jenna Batsch sank four free throws early in the fourth quarter to tie it up, and layups by Thomas and freshman Meghan Murray extended it to an 8-0 run. Kent State remained ahead until 3:50 to play. Down three entering the final two minutes, Batsch scored in transition to get within one, and Thomas followed with a basket on the next offensive possession to take the lead for the final time.
Batsch finished with a team-high 18 points, while Murray set career-highs with nine points and four steals.
Kent State returns to the M.A.C. Center next week for games against Duquesne on Nov. 20 and Xavier on Nov. 23.
