Men's Basketball Works Two Overtimes to Knock Off Buffalo 111-107
2/16/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Box Score
BUFFALO, N.Y. The Kent State University mens basketball team needed double overtime tonight (Feb. 15) to escape Alumni Arena with a 111-107 victory against the University at Buffalo. The Golden Flashes rallied from a 13-point deficit with 5:31 remaining in regulation, as Kent State pulled back into a first-place tie with Akron atop the Mid-American Conference standings.
In a game that featured runs that resulted in double-digit leads for both teams, it was Kent States 9-4 spurt in the first three minutes of the second overtime that pushed the Golden Flashes (18-7, 12-2 MAC)sto victory. Sophomore forward Mike Scott opened the second OT with a driving layup, senior guard DeAndre Haynes three-pointer pushed Kent State over the 100-point plateau and senior wing Jay Youngblood capped the run with a fast-break dunk to make it 104-97 with 1:09 remaining. From there, Kent State led by no less than four points as the Golden Flashes won in Buffalo for the second time in the last five games.
But Kent State would not have made it to overtime if it wasnt for a 20-7 run to close out regulation. Trailing 74-61 at the 5:31 mark, senior forward Kevin Warzynski went on a tear, scoring 11 of Kent States next 13 points, including three consecutive three-pointers to pull KSU within five, 79-74, with just over two minutes remaining. After Buffalo (16-9, 6-8 MAC)smissed a free throw, Youngblood drilled a triple from the right baseline, cutting the Bulls lead to two.
On Buffalos ensuing possession, the Golden Flashes trapped Calvin Cage at midcourt and junior guard Omni Smith intercepted Cages pass. Smith scored on a layup and was fouled, making the free throw to give Kent State an 80-79 lead, its first since 42-40 at halftime. From there, Warzynski would make one free throw, giving KSU a two-point edge, which Roderick Middleton erased with a runner in the lane with five seconds left. Haynes rushed back up court and his desperation three-pointer at the buzzer rattled out.
Kent State scored the first five points of the first overtime and would maintain a lead between two and five points, holding a 93-90 lead with 21 seconds left. But once again, Buffalo would answer as Cage drove to the basket, making an off-balanced jumper and getting fouled. His free throw with seven seconds left tied the game at 93-93 and this time Smiths three to win at the buzzer hit the side of the iron, setting the stage for the second overtime.
The Golden Flashes first built a 14-point lead in the opening half on the strength of four three-pointers by junior guard Armon Gates. Kent State led 41-27 with 3:29 to play in the opening frame, but would score just one point in the remainder of the half. Buffalo took advantage, going on a 17-1 run that extended into the beginning of the second half to grab a 44-42 lead.
Kent State put six players in double figures, led by Warzynskis 23 points. Youngblood also went over 20 points, posting 22 markers for his seventh 20-point game of the season. The duo helped Kent State eclipse 100 points for the first time since Dec. 17, 2003. The other four Golden Flashes in double figures were Smith (19), Haynes (14), Gates (13), Scott (11). Smith and Scott each paced the Golden Flashes with seven rebounds, but Buffalo held a 44-33 advantage on the boards.
The teams shot nearly identical percentages from the field, as Kent State hit 51.5 percent of its attempts, while Buffalo shot 51.4 percent. Kent State out-shot Buffalo 75.0-65.4 percent at the free throw line and the Flashes made more free throws than the Bulls attempted.
It also was just the fourth time in Kent State history that both the Golden Flashes and their oppoents scored more than 100 points in the same game. That had not happened since since a quadruple overtime loss to Cleveland State, Dec. 23, 1993. The previous two occured in 1956 and 1977, each Kent State losses.
The Golden Flashes take a break from MAC play Saturday, with a non-conference matchup against Butler in the BracketBusters presented by eBay event at the M.A.C. Center. Game time is 12:30 p.m. for a contest televised by ESPNU.
GAME NOTES: Kent State last had six double-digit scorers last season, also against Buffalo... The last time two Golden Flashes scored 20 points was Dec. 1, 2004, when Jason Edwin tallied 25 and Warzynski had 20... The results of Kent States other games involving two 100-point performances are: Marshall 110, Kent State 108 (1955-56); Northern Illinois 110, Kent State 101 (3/7/77), Cleveland State 104, Kent State 101, 4OT (12/23/93)... The Golden Flashes most recent overtime game was last seasons finale, an 88-80 loss at Western Kentucky in the opening round of the NIT... Kent State shot 50 percent in the first half, 50 percent in the second half and 58.3 percent in the overtime periods.
