Kent State University
15-7, 6-3MAC
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Western Michigan University
14-8, 5-4MAC
Short-handed Golden Flashes give valiant effort but lose heartbreaker on road to Western Michigan, 67-66
2/4/2015 9:52:00 PM | Men's Basketball
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Kent State was unable to close out on the road and a driving layup by Connar Tava gave Western Michigan a 67-66 win Wednesday night at University Arena. Devareaux Manley could not convert on a driving scoop shot as time expired as the Golden Flashes dropped their second straight game.
Playing without leading scorer and rebounder Jimmy Hall, Kent State (15-7, 6-3) led for almost the entire second half prior to Tava's game-winner. The Broncos took a 33-32 lead with 16:11 remaining, but Gary Akbar scored on the next possession to put the Flashes back ahead.
"Our guys fought incredibly hard tonight," said head coach Rob Senderoff. "We just needed to make one more stop at the end. They are a very good team and made a couple more plays than us down the stretch to get the win."
The Flashes made a season-high 13 three-point shots and shot 41.9 percent from beyond the arc. Seniors Derek Jackson and Manley led the barrage by combining to shoot 11-for-20 from the three-point line. Jackson led all scorers with a season-high 20 points and added five rebounds, three assists and two steals.
"I told Derek he's going to have to take more than six shots, which is what he averages in league games," Senderoff said. "Tonight he came out, got some good looks and made a bunch of shots early. He did a great job all-around, which is what you want from a senior."
Manley finished with 18 points with all six of his field goals coming from three-point distance. Junior Chris Ortiz made the Flashes' other two three-pointers and finished with eight points and a team-high eight rebounds.
Senior Kris Brewer scored five points off the bench and became the 30th player in Kent State history to surpass 1,000 career points.
Western Michigan was led by 17 points from Tucker Haymond. Tava and David Brown added 16 points for the Broncos, who improved to 14-8 overall and 5-4 in MAC play.
Kent State returns to the M.A.C. Center to host Miami at 7 p.m. Saturday.
