Junior guard Diamon Beckford (Upper Darby, Pa.) lets go of a shot during Kent State's 65-64 win over Morehead State in the team's home opener on Nov. 18 at the M.A.C. Center. She knocked down the game-winning three pointer to lift the Golden Flashes to a victory. Beckford finished the game with a career-high 11 points and eight rebounds to help lead Kent State to its first win of the 2011-12 season.

Beckford finishes with career-high 21 points for Golden Flashes.

AKRON, Ohio -- The Kent State women's basketball team could not overcome a late rally by archrival Akron, falling 68-62 Saturday (Jan. 14) in a Mid-American Conference East Division showdown at Rhoades Arena.

The Golden Flashes (2-12, 1-3 MAC) led the Zips (8-10, 2-2 MAC) by as much as 10 points in the second half and held a 59-56 edge with just under four minutes to play, but Akron closed the game on a 12-3 run to earn the come-from-behind victory.

Junior forward Diamon Beckford (Upper Darby, Pa.) tallied a career-high 21 points to lead all scorers. She has reached double figures in scoring five times in 2011-12 – including in three of Kent State's last five games. Junior guard Tamzin Barroilhet (Sainte Maxime, France) reached double figures for the second time in the last three games, totaling 16 points. She also led the Flashes with eight rebounds and six assists.

The Golden Flashes ran out to an 8-0 lead to open the contest and helped Akron scoreless for nearly six minutes, using layups by Barroilhet and Beckford and a jumper by Schaefer to take the early advantage. A three by freshman guard Josey Hull (London, Ohio) and two successful free throws by Beckford made it 13-4 with just under 13 minutes to play in the half. The Zips came roaring back, though, putting together a 20-2 run over the next six minutes to take a 24-17 lead. The Flashes countered by using a three and a layup by Beckford, a three, a layup and a foul shot by Barroilhet and layups by junior guard Trisha Krewson (Sandusky, Ohio) and freshman forward Melanee Stubbs (Merrillville, Ind.) to close the half on a 14-10 run and tie the game at 24-all.

The beginning of the second half mirrored the first, as Kent State rendered Akron scoreless for the opening six minutes while the Flashes used a three by Barriolhet, a jumper by freshman guard Itziar Llobet (Sant Cugat de Valles, Spain), a three by freshman guard Jamie Hutcheson (Ancaster, Ontario) and a layup by Beckford to build a 44-34 lead with 14:29 to play. Akron wouldn't quit, though, going on a 16-5 run over the ensuing eight minutes to take a 55-50 lead with just over six minutes to go. Beckford brought the Flashes back, scoring the next six seven points singlehandedly to put Kent State back in the lead at 57-55 with 4:31 remaining. A layup by Hutcheson 30 seconds later made it a three-point game at 59-56. Unfortunately for Kent State, Akron scored the next 10 points and finished its comeback on 12-3 run.

Four Zips finished the game in double figures. Senior forwards Jasmine Mushington Ti'eshia Stubbs led the way with 15 apiece while sophomore forwards Sina King and Carly Young each added 13.

Kent State closes out its first tour of intradivision opponents by playing host to Buffalo next Thursday (Jan. 19) at the M.A.C. Center. The first 500 fans in attendance will receive foam talons while the M.A.C. Center concession stands will feature $1 hot dogs and drinks. Fans will once again have the opportunity to participate in the always intense Basketball Bingo during the game. Tickets start at just $5. For more information contact the Kent State Athletics Ticket Office at (330) 672-2244.