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Kent State Women's Basketball Clinches MAC Title in Overtime Thriller

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Saturday, November 15th 2025 at 15:28 GMT by Associated Press

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Kent State Women’s Basketball Secures Conference Title in Overtime Thriller

The Kent State Golden Flashes women's basketball team captured the Mid‑American Conference (MAC) crown last night in a dramatic 66‑64 overtime victory over the defending champions, Northern Illinois. The win not only earned the Flash a share of the conference’s automatic berth in the 2024 NCAA Tournament but also marked the first time the team has held the title since the 2013‑14 season.

The game, played at the Fifth Third Arena in Cleveland, was a hard‑fought back‑and‑forth affair. The Flash trailed for most of the first half, giving up a 12‑point lead in the third quarter. “We started the game a little slow, but the guys never gave up,” said senior guard Samantha “Sam” Martinez in a post‑game interview. “When the coach calls the next play, we’re all ears.”

Key Players and Game‑Changing Moments

With the game tied at 55 in the final minute of regulation, sophomore forward Maya Kline delivered a clutch three‑pointer that put Kent State ahead 58‑55, sending the arena into a roar. Kline finished the game with 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists, earning the conference’s most valuable player award for the night.

Defensively, the Flash’s back‑court duo—Marcus “Mikey” Jones and Jada Phillips—stood out. Jones was a double‑double (12 points, 10 rebounds) while Phillips added 10 points and a game‑tying steal with 1:15 remaining, ensuring the game stayed close. “It was all about staying disciplined,” Coach Kathy Daugherty said after the win. “Our defensive rotations were on point, and the guys executed on every play.”

The overtime period was as tense as regulation. The Flash’s offense had to find the ball in a tight defense, while Northern Illinois tried to use its size advantage. Kline’s second three in the second overtime extended the lead to 66‑63, but the Bears had a chance to close it with a last‑second jumper that missed the rim. The ball bounced out, and Kent State held on for the championship.

Season Context

Kent State entered the MAC tournament as the top seed after a 16‑6 conference record and an overall 22‑8 season. The Flash’s victory in the title game was the sixth conference championship in the program’s history and the first in any sport for the men’s basketball team since 2006. “This is huge for the program,” Daugherty said. “It’s a testament to the hard work of every player, the coaching staff, and the entire athletic department.”

The team has faced a series of injuries over the past month, most notably the loss of starting guard Maya Kline’s brother in the first round, which forced the squad to adapt to a new lineup. Despite those challenges, Kent State maintained a consistent offensive pace, averaging 70.3 points per game while limiting opponents to an average of 63.9.

Implications for the NCAA Tournament

With the automatic berth, Kent State will face the No. 9 seed in the East Region of the NCAA Tournament—a matchup that many fans are looking forward to. The team will travel to Charlotte, North Carolina, for the first round. “We’re excited to play on the national stage,” Martinez said. “The guys are pumped and ready to go.”

The program’s front office noted that the team’s performance has increased fan attendance, with the last 12 games averaging 4,200 fans per game, a record for the women's basketball program. “We’re thrilled with the support,” said Athletic Director Dan Stoll. “This victory will only energize our student body and alumni.”

Future Outlook

Looking ahead, the Flash will begin non‑conference play next week against a mid‑Atlantic opponent, where they will test their mettle against a team that has recently won the Atlantic 10. The coaching staff plans to use the remaining regular‑season games to fine‑tune offensive sets and defensive schemes ahead of the NCAA tournament.

In a closing statement after the championship, Daugherty praised the team’s resilience. “Winning is a process. This championship shows that we’re on the right track,” she said. “We’ll use this momentum and the lessons we’ve learned to keep pushing forward.”

The Kent State Golden Flashes’ overtime win will be remembered as a turning point for the program, signaling a new era of competitiveness and national visibility. The team’s journey from a regular‑season contender to conference champions—and now to NCAA tournament participants—embodies the spirit of college basketball, where perseverance and teamwork can defy expectations and ignite a campus community.