Kent State University
Buffalo
Whittington’s Monster Game Not Enough as Bulls Pull Away
1/25/2019 11:06:00 PM | Men's Basketball
KENT, Ohio- Junior Philip Whittington's fifth double-double was not enough as No. 14 Buffalo forced three-straight turnovers within the last two minutes of play that pushed the Bulls past the Flashes for an 88-79 win.
The Flashes are now 15-5 on the season and 4-3 in league play.
Kent State started the game off with a 20-7 lead, their largest of the game, and would not let the bulls take control for the remainder of the opening half. The Bulls were able to square things up at 35 with the use of a 13-2 scoring run, but a 3-pointer from Jaylin Walker and field goals from Anthony Roberts and Antonio Williams combined for a 7-0 run, that put the Flashes back up 42-35 with 3:34 remaining in the opening half. The Flashes would hold off the charging Bulls' offense as they headed into the break with a 44-43 advantage.
Walker led the first half with 15 points shooting 6-of-10 from the field and connecting on 3-of-6 from deep.
Buffalo's slow start in the first half wouldn't last long as the Bulls came out of the break on a 14-3 scoring run that put them ahead, 49-46. An 11-2 Flashes' scoring run highlighted by treys from Walker and senior Jalen Avery, gave the Flashes' a 55-51 lead.
Avery stopped another Bulls' scoring run with his third 3-pointer of the night that brought Kent State within two with 6:10 remaining. On the next possession, Akiean Frederick tipped in a layup that tied the score for the second time of the evening, 71-71. In the last two minutes of play, Buffalo forced three turnovers that were enough to surge past the Flashes for the win.
Walker led the scoring efforts with 21 points while bringing down eight rebounds. Whittington finished the game with 18 points and 13 rebounds, his fifth double-double on the season. Avery rounded out the double-figure scoring for the Flashes with 13 points.
KSU shot a respectable 43.6 percent (30-of-69) from the floor in the game, while connecting on 39.1 percent (9-of-23) from beyond the arc. UB meanwhile, shot 53.2 percent (33-of-62) overall and 38.5 percent (10-of-26) from downtown. Kent State controlled the rebounding battle 40-37. The Flashes forced 12 UB turnovers and finished with seven steals.
Kent State is back on the road as they travel to Western Michigan on Tuesday, Jan. 29. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. and will be on ESPN+.
