Kent State University
13-11, 5-6MAC
Bowling Green
11-13, 5-6MAC
Men's Basketball Drops Heartbreaker to Bowling Green
2/7/2017 11:09:00 PM | Men's Basketball
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State University men's basketball team (13-11, 5-6 MAC) lost an overtime battle at home in heart breaking fashion Tuesday against the Bowling Green Falcons (11-13, 5-6 MAC), 84-83.
The Golden Flashes competed in their third overtime game of the Mid-American Conference season, and battled right until the very end. The game featured multiple comebacks for the Flashes, who forced overtime and led in the final 15 seconds of the game. However, the ball game was decided on back-to-back buckets in the final nine seconds for Bowling Green. Kent State had the final possession of the game, and appeared to have possibly drawn a game-ending goaltending call, but the attempt was waived off on a final replay.
"Disappointing loss," stated head coach Rob Senderoff. "Tough one to swallow. We came back from down 13 with 5:33 to go and then had the ball and the lead. Up four with less than a minute to go. They hit a 3, we turned it over. We don't get a turnover, really disappointing."
Overall, Jaylin Walker led the Flashes in scoring with 18 points on 6-for-11 shooting. He had six rebounds and shot 4-for-6 from 3-point range. Jimmy Hall recorded his 15th double-double of the season with a game-high 11 rebounds and 12 points. Deon Edwin posted a team-best four assists to go with 12 points.
The first half was not for the faint of heart, as Bowling Green piled on a lead early to see it washed away down the stretch. The Falcons opened up a 19-8 lead to start the game and eventually led by 13 points with 5:33 left in the period. From that moment, the Flashes stole the momentum, scoring 14 of the next 16 points to come within a point right before the break.
The Flashes officially erased Bowling Green's advantage with an 8-0 run in the second half, taking a 46-44 lead with 13:29 left. Kent State took the lead, but did not hold on for long. The Falcons reasserted themselves with an 11-2 run, putting the score at 68-59 with 5:09 left in regulation.
Over the final five minutes of the second half, the Flashes erased a near double-digit deficit by stopping the clock and getting to the free throw line. After a Desmond Ridenour layup, the Flashes scored nine straight points at the line as part of a 7-1 run. Down four in the final 90 seconds, Ridenour and Kevin Zabo hit back-to-back buckets that tied the game with 25 seconds left. The Kent State defense forced three missed shots in the last minute, sending the game to overtime with momentum on the home team's side.
Kent State shot 4-for-7 in the overtime period, and for much of the last five minutes, looked to be on its way to victory. Hall nailed a shot in the paint to take a two-point lead, and after Bowling Green responded, Ridenour nailed back-to-back shots to put the Flashes up 83-79 with 14 seconds left.
The Falcons quickly moved up the floor and nailed a 3-pointer with nine seconds left. Kent State turned the ball over on the inbounds pass to give Bowling Green a shot at the game-winner. After the initial attempt came up short, Bowling Green's Demajeo Wiggins scored on a tip in to take the lead with a second to spare. The Flashes heaved the ball up the floor, managing to secure a halfcourt inbounds play with 0.6 on the clock. On the quick 3-point attempt, a Falcon touched the rim with the ball in the air, warranting a potential goaltending call to give Kent State the victory. However, the officiating crew deemed the attempt too late after reviewing the replay, ending the game.
Overall, Kent State shot 46.9 percent (30-for-64) from the floor and 38.1 percent (8-for-21) from 3-point range. The Flashes were 15-for-18 from the foul line. Bowling Green shot 43.5 percent (30-for-69) from the floor. Kent State won the rebounding battle, 43-36, with 12 offensive rebounds.
Zabo and Ridenour provided scoring punch off the bench, with 17 and 12 points, respectively. The duo combined for 10 rebounds and shot 11-for-19 from the floor. Ridenour also posted a career-high three blocks. Danny Pippen registered four points, seven rebounds and two blocks.
Kent State, without a road loss since Jan. 14, will travel to Toledo Saturday for a 2 p.m. game on CBS Sports Network.
