Kent State University
Valparaiso
Kent State Misses An Opportunity In An 88-83 Overtime Loss To Valparaiso
11/18/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Box Score (.PDF)
KENT, Ohio - Kent State missed an opportunity to steal a win against one of the Horizon League's best teams in an 88-83 overtime loss to Valparaiso on Sunday at the M.A.C. Center
The Golden Flashes led by three points with four seconds to play in regulation, but Valparaiso managed to push the game into overtime with a free throw by Erik Buggs, an offensive rebound, and a scrambling layup to tie by Kevin Van Wijk with just one second on the clock.
Once in overtime, Van Wijk and the Crusaders took control.
"This is a tough one," said Kent State coach Rob Senderoff. "We get a rebound and we win the game. I don't know what else to say … Apparently we are not as tough as we need to be. We don't understand how tough you have to be to win a game right now."
Randal Holt scored 20 points in 39 minutes of work to lead Kent State. He also came up with five steals, including one with seven seconds to play in the second half that was very nearly a game-winner. Helping with a double team against Van Wijk in the left post, Holt flicked the ball from behind, sending it right into the hands of teammate Chris Evans.
Valparaiso quickly fouled Evans, who drilled two free throws to give Kent State a 75-72 lead.
"Up three, we wanted to foul on the ground and of course come up with the rebound, which we didn't do," said Holt. "They got the rebound and it went into overtime … We started off overtime with a couple of turnovers. The refs called the game tight all game. They got some calls down the stretch and knocked down their free throws."
Kent State and Valparaiso combined for 59 fouls and 81 free-throw attempts.
The Crusaders converted 34-of-41 from the foul line for 82-percent, while the Golden Flashes struggled for the second game in a row. They converted a respectable 30-of-40 free throws (75-percent) on the day, but missed nine in the second half.
Kent State also recorded just six assists on 24 made baskets while also committing 18 turnovers. Senderoff was also unhappy with a defense that watched Valparaiso shoot 58-percent from the floor (25-for-43).
"Yes, we have to play better and we have to shoot free throws better," said Senderoff. "But at the end of the day if you get one rebound we all go home happy. We had the game won."
Kent State trailed by as many as 12 points in the first half but but battled back to within eight points at halftime, 36-28.
Evans scored 18 points for Kent State and added four steals in 33 minutes. Bryson Pope (13 points) and Kris Brewer (11 points) also scored in double figures for the Golden Flashes.
Van Wijk led Valparaiso with 25 points, going 6-for-8 from the field and 13-for-14 from the foul line. The 6-foot-8 post picked up his fourth foul with seven minutes to play in regulation, but managed to play the rest of the way without picking up number five.
Kent State (2-2) will host Bethune-Cookman on Tuesday at 7 p.m. before going on the road for the first time on Saturday at Nebraska.
"Kids are resilient. They will bounce back," said Senderoff. "We'll be ready to play on Tuesday, but we have to play better.
POSTGAME NOTES:
Team Notes:
• Kent State has scored at least 19 second chance points in all four games this year. 21 tonight.
• Kent State is 1-1 in overtime this year and 2-1 under Rob Senderoff
• Kent State has had a different leading scorer in all four games this year
• The 40 free throw attempts by Kent State are the most since Nov. 26, 2010 vs Lehigh
Individual Notes:
• Randal Holt hit 3 three-pointers to move into 5th place on Kent State's career three-point field goals made list. Holt now has 168 career three-pointers
• Holt is the third different Kent State player to score 20 points in a game this year.
• Randal Holt had a career high five steals
