Kent State University
16-15, 7-11MAC
University of Akron
20-11, 12-6MAC
Golden Flashes fall to Zips in thriller, 58-54
3/7/2014 9:38:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Photo Gallery
AKRON, Ohio – Kent State picked the wrong time to go cold on offense as the University of Akron battled back to hand the Golden Flashes a 58-54 loss in Friday's regular season finale at James A. Rhodes Arena.
After taking a 51-50 lead on a sweeping hook by Darren Goodson with 4:19 to play, the Golden Flashes managed just one more scoring possession the rest of the way – a Devareaux Manley three-pointer with 28 seconds to play that pulled Kent State within a point at 55-54.
Akron helped the Kent State cause by missing five consecutive free throws in the closing minutes, but Demetrius Treadwell sealed the victory for the Zips by drilling the game's final three free throws.
Even with several late droughts, Kent State trailed by just two with 12 seconds to play and found another open look from three-point range that Manley just missed.
"Dev is the best shooter on our team, and I would want him shooting that every time," said Kent State head coach Rob Senderoff. "I'd take that shot one thousand out of a thousand times. It was a good shot that looked good when it left his hand. It just didn't go in."
"This was a highly competitive game. I give them credit because they made a couple of plays down the stretch that won them the game."
Kent State took a 32-27 lead into halftime by attacking the rim and enjoying a 22-10 advantage in points scored in the paint. After missing the first six shots of the game, the Flashes connected on 59-percent of their first-half attempts in the final 18 minutes before the break.
It didn't come quite as easy in the second half. The Flashes shot just 21.6 percent (8-for-37) from the field in the final 20 minutes. Akron, meanwhile, improved its shooting from 37.5 percent (9-for-24) in half No. 1 to 45 percent (11-for-24) in half No. 2.
Treadwell was a non-factor through the game's first 30 minutes, making just one of his first 10 shots from the field. But the big 235-pound forward powered his way to the basket in the final 10 minutes to finish with 14 points on 4-of-14 shooting.
Kent State sophomore Kellon Thomas matched Treadwell with 14 points of his own, connecting on his first five shots. The point guard also helped Kent State out-rebound Akron 43-35 with five rebounds.
Fellow sophomore Khaliq Spicer enjoyed his best game in a Kent State uniform, finishing with 10 points, including six on two-handed dunks. Mark Henniger and Darren Goodson combined for 15 rebounds in their final regular season game for Kent State before fouling out.
Kent State connected on just 3-of-19 from three-point range while Akron used the three to complete its comeback. Led by 3-of-4 by Deji Ibitayo, the Zips made 6-of-14 from beyond the arc. Ibitaylo finished with 11 points.
Kent State (16-15, 7-11) will go on the road for a Monday first-round game to open the Mid-American Conference tournament while Akron (20-11, 12-6) secured a first-round bye.
