Kent State University
11-9, 2-5MAC
Northern Illinois University
8-11, 2-5MAC
Second-half struggles lead to 50-49 loss to Northern Illinois
1/29/2014 9:56:00 PM | Men's Basketball
KENT, Ohio – Kent State watched a 14-point lead slip away in the second half of a 50-49 loss to Northern Illinois on Wednesday night at the M.A.C. Center.
After the Golden Flashes pulled ahead by a point on two Devareaux Manley free throws with 11.2 seconds to play, Huskies point guard Travon Baker drove the length of the floor and drew a foul with just 5.2 seconds on the clock. He drilled both foul shots to put Northern back on top, and when Kris Brewer missed a 25-footer at the buzzer, the Huskies had their first win in Kent since February of 2003.
Two free throws by Bolin with 30 seconds remaining gave Northern Illinois their first lead since the 18:46 mark of the first half when the Huskies held a 3-2 advantage.
Bolin topped all scorers with 14 points while Baker scored 11 and Jordan Threloff added 10 points for the Huskies, who improved to 8-11 overall and 2-5 in Mid-American Conference play.
Darren Goodson led Kent State with 10 points and four rebounds in 23 minutes.
The bench provided a bright spot for the Golden Flashes. Led by Mark Henniger, K.K. Simmons and Chris Ortiz, Kent State's reserves outscored the Huskies 22-2. Henniger finished with eight points and six rebounds, Simmons with six points and three rebounds and Ortiz with six points and two rebounds. Despite that group's 11 boards, the Flashes were out-rebounded 35-27.
Kent State also committed 18 turnovers compared to just 11 assists. Both teams shot 34 percent from the field.
Kent State (11-9, 2-5 MAC) will host arch-rival Kent State on Saturday.
