Kent State University
3-1
University of South Dakota
5-0
Men's Basketball Takes First Loss Against South Dakota, 80-77
11/21/2016 8:41:00 PM | Men's Basketball
PDF BOX SCORE | KENT STATE GAME NOTES FOR TUESDAY
ESTERO, Fla. – The Kent State University men's basketball team (3-1) took its first loss of the season, falling to the South Dakota Coyotes (5-0), 80-77, Monday at the Gulf Coast Showcase in Germain Arena.
The result puts the Golden Flashes in the 1:30 p.m. game Tuesday against George Mason.
Deon Edwin recorded career highs of 19 points, nine rebounds and five assists, leading the team in all three categories. He shot 7-for-14 from the floor and also matched his career high of four steals. Jaylin Walker matched his 19 points to go with two rebounds and two steals. Jimmy Hall tied the game high of nine rebounds and recorded 14 points and three blocks.
The Flashes had a good first half and controlled the majority of the game early. With the two teams tied at 10 apiece, Kent State ripped off a 16-6 run to give the team it's largest lead of the game. However, a 13-3 run allowed the Coyotes to tie the game back up with 7:43 left in the first. Kent State would find themselves up nine before halftime, but South Dakota scored the final seven points of the half to put the score at 44-42.
The Flashes entered the second half having led for over 13 minutes of the game. However, a barrage of 3-pointers helped South Dakota build a lead to start the second half. South Dakota worked their way to a 66-55 lead with 11:51 left, its largest lead of the game.
From there, the Flashes clamped down on defense and held South Dakota without a field goal for over a five-minute stretch. Kent State erased the double digit deficit, retaking the lead on a pair of Jaylin Walker free throws with 5:21 remaining, putting the score at 72-71. It would be a one possession game from that point forward.
With 1:37 left on the clock, Edwin secured his career-high 19 points with a fast break layup that put the Flashes ahead 77-76. On the opposite end, South Dakota's Tyler Flack hit two free throws to retake the lead. The Flashes missed a 3-pointer with just over a minute to go, giving South Dakota a chance to drain the clock with the lead. Two offensive rebounds for the Coyotes allowed them to take 56 seconds off the clock before Flack made a put back layup to give his team a 3-point lead. Out of a timeout, the Flashes were able to get off a good look on a corner trey, but couldn't knock down the game-tying shot.
Monday's close game featured 16 lead changes and nine ties. Kent State shot 38.2 percent(26-for-68) from the floor, while South Dakota shot 42.2 percent (27-for-64). Kent State was outrebounded for the first time this season, 48-41, despite 15 offensive rebounds. Kent State only committed nine turnovers, their lowest output of the season.
Jerrelle DeBerry came off the bench to score eight points on 2-for-4 shooting. Mitch Peterson and Kevin Zabo each chipped in four points.
Live stats and live video will be provided for Kent State's Tuesday game. Follow @KentStMBB on Twitter for updates throughout to week.
