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Recap: MAC Women's Basketball Tournament final updates | Kent State wins, advances to NCAAs
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- Recap: MAC Women's Basketball Tournament final updates | Kent State wins, advances to NCAAs
CLEVELAND— For the first time in more than two decades, the Kent State women's basketball team will play in the NCAA Tournament after winning the Mid-American Conference Tournament championship. The Golden Flashes are headed to the NCAA Tournament for the the first time since 2002.
Here's how the game unfolded through our live updates:
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Flashes win 78-60, end 22-year NCAA Tournament drought
Kent State's long wait is finally over.
The Flashes beat Buffalo 78-60 in the MAC Tournament championship game to earn their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2002.
Katie Shumate scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead Kent State. Jenna Batsch and Dionna Gray finished with 14 apiece. Mikala Morris added 11. Shumate was named the tournament MVP. She and Bridget Dunn represent Kent State on the all-tournament team.
Kent State's Bridget Dunn (15) hugs her teammates after the Golden Flashes defeated Buffalo to win the Mid-American Conference Tournament women's championship Saturday in Cleveland.
Katie Shumate 3-pointer gives Kent State its biggest lead
What a third quarter for the Flashes. They outscore the Bulls 29-13 and carry a 59-47 lead into the final 10 minutes. It's their biggest lead of the day.
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Katie Shumate hit a 3 with five seconds left in the quarter to give her a team-high 16 points.
Third-quarter jump start pushes Flashes back in front
What a difference a halftime break can make.
The Flashes open the third quarter on an 11-3 run and lead 41-37. Dionna Gray has hit two 3s in the quarter.
Kent State trails after sloppy second quarter
The Flashes' nine-point lead is gone. Kent State shot just 3 of 11 in the second quarter and trails 34-30 at halftime.
Kent State's Mikala Morris (30) attempts a shot around Buffalo's Kiara Johnson (22) during the first half of the Mid-American Conference Tournament women's championship game Saturday in Cleveland.
Chellia Watson hit two 3s in the final minute of the first half for Buffalo. Her second 3 at the buzzer rolled around the rim and in.
Watson has a game-high 13 points. Katie Shumate leads the Flashes with 8.
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Bulls rally at end of first quarter, Flashes up 20-15
Buffalo cut a nine-point deficit to three before an Abby Ogle jumper gave Kent State a 20-15 lead at the end of one quarter.
Kent State Golden Flashes guard Katie Shumate (14) drives to the basket against Buffalo Bulls guard Alexis Davis (23) during the first half of the Mid-American Conference Tournament women's championship game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Katie Shumate leads the Flashes with 7 points.
Kent State grabs early lead
The Flashes ran off nine straight points before the Bulls converted their first field goal five minutes into the game.
Kent State leads 9-4.
How can I watch, stream or listen to the Kent State vs. Buffalo women's basketball championship in the MAC Tournament?
The game will be televised on CBS Sports Network, starting at 11 a.m.
More on Kent State women's basketball: Katie Shumate's final stretch with the Golden Flashes is filled with 'relentless passion'
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What did the Kent State Golden Flashes and Buffalo Bulls do in the first two rounds of the MAC Tournament?
Here's a look at Wednesday's quarterfinals:
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No. 1 Toledo beat No. 8 Western Michigan 72-61
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No. 4 Buffalo edged No. 5 Bowling Green 70-64
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No. 2 Ball State blew out No. 7 Ohio 77-53
Here's a look at Friday's semifinals:
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No. 4 Buffalo upset No. 1 Toledo 77-74 in OT
When is the NCAA Tournament bracket released?
The Kent State-Buffalo winner will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament . The pairings will be released Sunday at 8 p.m.
When did Kent State, Buffalo each last win a MAC Women's Basketball Tournament championship?
Kent State last won a MAC Tournament title in 2002. It completed a stretch at saw the Flashes play in seven straight championship games, winning three. The Golden Flashes last appeared in a MAC title game in 2006. Buffalo last won a conference tournament championship game in 2022. The Bulls beat Ball State 79-75 in overtime.
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This article originally appeared on The Repository: Kent State women's basketball score vs. Buffalo MAC Tournament updates
