Kent State University
11-9 (3-4MAC)
Northern Illinois
12-8 (4-3MAC)
Men's Basketball Earns Win Back at Northern Illinois, 73-66
1/24/2017 11:36:00 PM | Men's Basketball
DEKALB, Ill. – The Kent State University men's basketball team (11-9, 3-4 MAC) evened the score against the Northern Illinois Huskies (12-8, 4-3 MAC), 73-66, on the road Tuesday.
"A lot of the issues we had the first time we played them, we focused on and corrected," noted head coach Rob Senderoff. "We were plus on rebounding, 10 less turnovers than last time and gave ourselves a chance to win. Our point guard play was off the charts. We had big minutes all around. This was a great road win for us."
The Golden Flashes were led by a superb performance at the point guard position, with two of the best performances from Jalen Avery and Kevin Zabo. Avery logged career highs of 16 points, five rebounds and two steals. Zabo scored 16 points on 6-for-12 shooting, much of which came late in the first half when the team was in a shooting slump.
"Two games ago I brought them in and told them, from here on out, it's the two of you guys," Senderoff said. "To their credit, they both stepped up. Jalen Avery hit a huge 3 that gave us the lead, and free throws when we needed them as well."
Meanwhile, reigning MAC Player of the Year continued his fantastic run, logging team bests of 18 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks. He shot 8-for-12 from the floor after shooting a combined 64 percent last week.
The first half was a close one in which neither team led for more than nine minutes. Kent State took the biggest advantage early, when an 11-3 run gave the Flashes the largest lead of the period, 22-15. Northern Illinois used 11 players for at least five minutes in the first half and found scoring punches off the bench to stay in the game. Austin Pauga hit back-to-back 3's that eliminated the Kent State advantage with nine minutes left in the half. From there, the half was played within a possession. The Huskies took a 37-35 advantage into the break.
Northern Illinois scored the first bucket of the second half, but the Flashes quickly took control of the game. An 11-2 run put the Flashes up by five points within five minutes. After a bucket from the Huskies, Avery and Zabo hit back-to-back 3-pointers to give Kent State its second seven-point lead at 52-45 with 12:43 left.
The Flashes never trailed over the final 13 minutes, but the home team made it a fight down the stretch. The Huskies worked the deficit down to 65-64 with 3:42 remaining. Over the remainder of the game, Kent State locked down Northern Illinois and prevented them from converting another field goal. The Huskies shot 0-for-2 in the final 3:42 and committed two turnovers. Avery would bring the Flashes home, scoring the final eight points of the game and bring the lead back to seven at the horn.
Kent State played efficient basketball, with 71 of 73 points coming on 3-pointers, free throws and shots in the paint. The Flashes shot 44.6 percent (25-for-56) from the floor and 42.9 percent (9-for-21) from 3-point range. Northern Illinois shot 46.2 percent (24-for-52), but 33.3 percent (5-for-15) from 3-point range. The Flashes won the rebounding battle, 37-32, with 11 offensive boards.
On his team's shot selection, "That's what we have to do. We have to get the ball on top of the basket with Jimmy, we have to get on the offensive glass with everybody, and when you share the ball and take good shots, you shoot a decent percentage from 3."
Deon Edwin continued to perform against MAC teams, finishing with 11 points and a team-high three assists. He was 2-for-4 from 3-point range and made two blocks. Mitch Peterson recorded five points and five rebounds, one of which was a key offensive board late that allowed the Flashes to run the clock with the lead. Leo Edwards logged nine minutes, his highest in MAC play, and made crucial hustle plays that sparked the 11-2 run in the second half.
The Flashes will look to win their third straight on Saturday, facing Central Michigan in the M.A.C. Center at noon on CBS Sports Network.
