Kent State University
Toledo
COMEBACK KIDS!
1/22/2019 11:10:00 PM | Men's Basketball
KENT, Ohio- The Kent State University men's basketball team trailed by as much as 17 in the second half before rallying for an 87-85 overtime win over Toledo on Tuesday night at the M.A.C. Center. Senior Jaylin Walker led the way with 36 points and five rebounds.
Kent State improved to 15-4 overall and 4-2 in MAC play after its third-straight win, while Toledo fell to 15-4 on the season, and 4-2 in conference play.
Senior Akiean Frederick added 12 points, seven rebounds, and one steal, while freshman Anthony Roberts rounded out the double-figure scoring with 10 points and a career-high seven rebounds.
After the Rockets took their largest lead of the contest, 55-38, early in the second half, but Kent State responded with a late 13-3 run that tied the game 79-79 to force overtime.
The run was ignited by three-straight threes by the Flashes as senior Jalen Avery started the first one. Walker drained the back-to-back threes assisted by Roberts and Avery that put the Flashes within three with 1:39 left to play, 78-75.
A fast-break layup from Roberts brought the Flashes within one of the Rockets with under a minute to play, as Toledo pulled away with two free throws making it, 79-77. With 33 seconds left to play in the second half, Walker hit a floater to send the game to overtime.
The two teams traded baskets to start the overtime before a steal by CJ Williamson led to a dunk by Antonio Williams that put the Flashes in front, 85-83.
On the next possession, Toledo made a pair of free throws that helped pull the Rockets back even, 85-85, with just 41 seconds to play in overtime.
With 23-seconds remaining in overtime, a 15-foot floater from Walker would be the game-winning shot for the Flashes as Toledo missed a three-point attempt and a jumper in the last seconds. Kent State would hold on and win 87-85.
Toledo opened the game with an early 15-3 lead over the Flashes. Kent State would hold the Rockets scoreless for over two minutes as the Flashes' offense used a 5-0 scoring run that closed Toledo's lead, 15-10.
Toledo would continue scoring as it extended its lead to 22-15 off of a scoring run with 9:48 remaining. A pair of triples from Frederick and Walker stopped the Rocket's run as the Flashes closed in making it a one-possession game, 24-21.
As the two teams continued to trade baskets, Kent State would tie the game at 32 with 3:06 left to play in the opening half. The Rockets would close out the half with an 11-2 run and headed into the break with a 43-36 lead.
As a team, Kent State shot 45.6 percent (31-of-68) from the field and 38.2 percent (13-of-34) from deep. Despite the Rocket's 58.6 percent (17-of-29) shooting on the night, the Flashes forced 16 turnovers and had 10 steals scoring 23 points off Toledo's miscues.
The Flashes will close out their homestand with Buffalo on Friday night at the M.A.C. Center. The game will tip at 6:30 p.m. and it will air live on CBS Sports Network.
