WILMINGTON, N.C. - Senior Anna Kowalska poured in game-high 22 points as Kent State continued its hot start in the season by collecting a commanding 69-54 victory over UNC Wilmington on Thursday at Trask Coliseum.
The Golden Flashes improved to 5-1 on the young season, while the Seahawks dropped to 4-2.
Kowalska guided a Kent State attack that was 26-of-54 from the floor, 7-of-15 from 3-point range and 10-of-13 from the free-throw line.
Kowalska was one of three players in double figures for the Golden Flashes as Rachel Bennett chipped in 12 and Jena Stutzman added 11.
Sophomore Chenel Harris corralled a game-high 10 rebounds and Bennett added eight caroms as Kent State enjoyed a 39-33 edge on the glass. Stephanie Gibson dished out a game-high seven assists.
Kent State opened the contest with a 7-2 run on its way to building an early 14-6 advantage. Kowalska keyed the early spurt for the Golden Flashes, scoring six points on a trio of baskets inside the paint.
UNCW pulled within seven, 22-15, midway through the frame on a basket from Luksyte when a jumper by junior Yohsica Spears started an 8-0 run that gave the Golden Flashes their biggest lead of the frame, 30-15, with 6:45 remaining.
A 3-pointer by freshman Julia Finlay and a free-throw from junior Whitney Simmons pulled the Seahawks within nine, 32-23, before the Golden Flashes scored seven of the last nine points of the frame to take a 37-25 lead into the locker room.
UNCW scored the first five points of the second half to pull within 10, 40-30, before Kent State scored nine of the next 11 points to take its biggest lead of the contest, 49-32, with less than 13 minutes remaining in the contest.