Kent State University
14-15, 8-8MAC
Bowling Green
16-13, 7-9MAC
Second Half Defense Lifts Flashes Over Falcons
2/24/2018 9:22:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Junior Jalen Avery made all four of his free throw attempts in the game's final 17 seconds to give Kent State a 64-63 victory over Bowling Green Saturday evening at the M.A.C. Center. Avery's final trip to the line came with 3.9 seconds left and his team down by a point (63-62).
The Falcons' Antwan Lillard fired a deep three-point attempt that rimmed out as time expired to seal the Golden Flashes' one-point win. The missed Bowling Green shot was indicative of the entire second half as Kent State's defense held the Falcons to just 21 percent from the field (8-for-38) in the final 20 minutes.
"To me the story of the game was our 33 percent field goal defense," Head Coach Rob Senderoff said. "We had a lot of big plays by a lot of guys that you don't see on the stat sheet, but those are the (defensive) plays that help you win games 64-63."
Sophomore Danny Pippen played a major in the Flashes' defensive effort with a career-high seven blocked shots. Pippen also had 11 points and eight rebounds.
"I was just trying to impact the game the best way I can," Pippen said. "Blocking has been my thing and I was just trying to be everywhere."
The Falcons carried 35-33 lead at the break, after shooting 50 percent in the first half.
"We did a better job in transition getting back and making them play half court," Senderoff said of the second half.
Senior Kevin Zabo came off the bench to lead the Flashes with 15 points, while Bowling Green's entire bench was held to just five points. Despite Kent State's struggles from behind the arc (5-of-23), Zabo drilled a clutch three-pointer with 3:26 left, giving the Flashes a 56-54 lead. It was one of 11 lead changes throughout the second half.
Avery, Jaylin Walker and Adonis De La Rosa all had 10 points, putting five Flashes in double figures.
Kent State improved to 8-8 in Mid-American Conference play and 7-1 in MAC home games. With two games remaining, The Flashes have clinched at least a top eight seed and remain in the hunt for the No. 4 spot.
Kent State will be back at the M.A.C. Center Tuesday (Feb. 27) for Senior Night, hosting East Division foe Miami at 7 p.m.
