Kent State University
University at Buffalo
Buffalo hands Flashes first MAC loss
1/8/2016 9:09:00 PM | Men's Basketball
KENT, Ohio – Kent State saw its late rally from a double-digit deficit come up short in a 76-67 loss to the University at Buffalo on Friday night at the M.A.C. Center.
Chris Ortiz crashed from the weakside for a tip-in to get within 69-65 with 1:37 on the clock, but that was as close as the Golden Flashes could get. After a stop on the ensuing defensive possession, a layup attempt off a transition push by Xavier Pollard rimmed out and the Bulls made seven of eight free throws in the final minute to seal their first road victory.
Kent State (10-5, 1-1 MAC) struggled at the beginning of both halves, falling behind by double-digits each time. The Flashes were able to erase a 12-point deficit to tie the game at 34-34 heading into the locker room at halftime, but were unable to repeat that performance in the second half.
Buffalo led 18-6 just seven minutes into the contest on 7-for-8 shooting, including 4-for-4 from the three-point arc. Meanwhile, Kent State made just one of its first 10 shots to open the game. The Flashes fought back to take a 23-21 lead following consecutive baskets by Jaylin Walker to cap a 17-3 run at the 5:35 mark before the half. The lead was brief and a layup by Jimmy Hall in the closing seconds tied the game after 20 minutes.
It was déjà vu after the break, as the Flashes struggled to go just 1-of-8 from the field in the opening six minutes to fall behind by 10 points, which was too large of a deficit to overcome on just 33-percent (10-for-30) shooting in the second half.
Although the Flashes' defense allowed Buffalo to better than 50-percent in each half and 24-for-46 (52.2%) overall, it did force the Bulls into 20 turnovers. Most of these were deadball turnovers, as the Flashes had just three steals, which allowed Buffalo to setup its defense and outscore the Flashes 15-14 off turnovers.
Xavier Pollard scored 21 points to lead Kent State to a 32-15 edge in bench scoring. Pollard provided good energy for the Flashes and did an excellent job of driving into the lane to also lead the team with two assists and seven free throw attempts. Jimmy Hall had an off night and finished with 10 points and seven rebounds. Hall missed multiple shots inside that he normally makes and shot just 5-for-13.
Kent State struggled to 40.3-percent shooting from the field (25-for-62) and 14 percent from 3-point range (2-for-14).
Buffalo's Willie Conner and Lamonte Bearden combined fori a 12-for-14 shooting performance from the field and 43 points. Conner also made 10 of 11 free throw attempts, while Bearden stuffed the statsheet with 21 points, 8 assists, 5 steals and 5 turnovers.
Kent State returns to action on Tuesday when Miami University visits the M.A.C. Center for a 7 p.m. start.
