Kent State University
Louisville
Walker’s Second Half Surge Not Enough For Flashes
12/15/2018 7:49:00 PM | Men's Basketball
LOUISVILLE, KY.- Senior Jaylin Walker scored a game-high 28 points in Kent State's battle against Louisville, but fell 83-70 in the KFC Yum! Center on Saturday evening.
Walker poured in 22 points on 8-of-13 from the field during the second half and shot 7-of-10 from deep in the game. Senior Jalen Avery added 11 points and four assists while junior Philip Whittington scored eight points and brought down five rebounds.
The Golden Flashes opened the game with a three-pointer from Avery, followed by a three-pointer from CJ Williamson, which made it 7-6 in Louisville's favor. Walker then drew a foul on a driving layup that sent him to the charity stripe, where he split the pair to tie the score at seven. A deep trey from Avery gave Kent State its first lead of the game, 13-10, but Louisville scored the next nine points.
With nine minutes remaining in the opening half, back-to-back baskets by Whittington cut the Cardinals' lead to 19-17. Louisville was able to gain separation and made a basket in the closing seconds to lead to 45-28 at the break.
Avery led the Flashes' scoring efforts in the opening half with eight points and an assist. As a team, the Flashes converted on 10-of-22 (45.5 percent) from the field and went 5-of-11 from long range (45.5 percent).
After the break, Louisville built a 24-point advantage by the 16:36 mark, but two-consecutive long-distance shots from Walker cut it to 54-38 with 13:45 left to play in the game.
The Cardinals again pushed the lead, but two additional long-range strikes from Walker closed it to 75-61 with 4:32 to play.
The Flashes fought to the end and scored the final six points as Akiean Frederick and Antonio Williams each converted a three-point play.
Kent State shot 24-of-52 (46.2 percent) from the field and went 11-of-24 (45.6 percent) from long range, while Louisville connected on 26-of-51 (51 percent) and 9-of-18 (50 percent) from 3-point range.
The Flashes are back in action as they travel to the West Coast for a matchup against Oregon State on Friday, Dec. 21 in Corvallis, Oregon at 3 p.m. EST.
