Kent State University
9-10 (3-3MAC)
University of Toledo
13-6 (5-1MAC)
Zabo's 20 and Walker's 19 not enough in loss at Toledo
1/20/2018 9:33:00 PM | Men's Basketball
TOLEDO, Ohio - Kent State's hope of capturing its first Mid-American Conference road victory of the season slipped away during a cold spell in the closing minutes of a 72-65 loss at Toledo on Saturday.
A layup by Desmond Ridenour with 4:27 to play gave the Golden Flashes a 61-59 lead with 4:27 to play in a back-and-forth second half. Unfortunately for the Flashes, a pair of split trips to the foul line accounted for their only points until Kevin Zabo broke the team's field goal drought on a drive with just 20 seconds remaining. After Zabo's bucket cut the Toledo lead to 67-65, the Rockets closed out the win from the foul line.
"We battled hard, competed, had couple of things that didn't go our way. But we competed," said Kent State head coach Rob Senderoff. "They are a good team. They went to the foul line 17 times in the second half (after) two in the first half. They made nine more free throws than we did and we lost by seven."
Saturday's battle in Savage Arena was closer than that seven-point outcome. The frustrating finish spoiled big offensive performances by Zabo and Jaylin Walker. Zabo's 20-point effort marked his third consecutive game of 20 or more points. Walker finished with 19 points - 14 coming in the first half when he made 5-of-6 from the field and all four of his three-point attempts.
A corner three by Walker just before the halftime buzzer deadlocked the score at 30-30, completing a recovery from an early double-digit deficit.
Adonis De La Rosa added nine points and 14 rebounds for the Flashes, who fell to 9-10 overall and 3-3 in MAC play.
Toledo improved to 13-6 overall and 5-1 in the MAC thanks in large part to Tre'Shaun Fletcher's 17 points and Luke Knapke's 16. The Rockets added 14 and 11 points from Jalean Sanford and Marreon Jackson, respectively.
Kent State returns home to face Ball State on Tuesday with tip-off set for 7 p.m. at the M.A.C. Center.
