Kent State University
9-9, 3-2MAC
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Western Michigan University
11-7, 3-2MAC
Another MACC thriller as Peterson's buzzer beater downs Broncos, 73-71
1/16/2018 9:15:00 PM | Men's Basketball
KENT, Ohio – Mitch Peterson capped a flurry of offensive rebounds by Kent State as the M.A.C. Center clock ticked away, floating in a short fadeaway with 0.3 seconds remaining to lift the Golden Flashes to a 73-71 victory over Western Michigan on Tuesday night.
The buzzer beater finally put away the Broncos, who battled back to tie the game after trailing by as many as 18 points in the first half. A three by Peterson with 10:13 remaining gave the Flashes a 63-49 lead, but it was followed by a five-minute scoring drought that saw Western outscore KSU 18-5. The Broncos finally deadlocked the game with seven seconds to play when a goaltending call credited Reggie Jones with a layup.
"I was proud of the guys staying composed enough to make that last play," Head Coach Rob Senderoff said of fending off the Western Michigan comeback.
Kevin Zabo led the Flashes with 23 points, backing up the career-high 24 points he scored in Kent State's 70-69 win over Ohio University on Friday. Danny Pippen added 16 points, all in a first half that saw him make 6-of-6 from the field and 4-of-4 from three-point range as KSU took a 45-33 lead into the break.
Adonis De La Rosa finished with his fifth double-double of the season, scoring 11 points to go with 12 rebounds as KSU out-rebounded Western 35-33. Jaylin Walker finished with 10 points and Jalen Avery contributed nine assists.
"Everyone contributed tonight," Senderoff said. "We obviously got off to a great start shooting. Western Michigan's a really good team and they battled back, but we made just enough plays."
The Flashes scorched the net from beyond the arc, making the first eight they attempted in the game's opening 17 minutes and finishing at 56.5 percent (13-for-23) for the game.
Josh Davis paced four Broncos in double digits with 16 points. Brandon Johnson added 14, Jones 11 and Thomas Wilder 10 for the preseason Mid-American Conference West Division favorites. Western Michigan is now 11-7 and 3-2 in MAC play.
Kent State (9-9, 3-2) goes on the road to face Toledo on Saturday before returning home to play Ball State Jan. 23 at 7 p.m.
