Kent State University
9-2
North Carolina A&T
3-9
Whittington’s Career-High Pushes Flashes Past Aggies in Overtime Win
12/17/2019 10:16:00 PM | Men's Basketball
EL Paso, Texas- Senior Philip Whittington turned in a game-and career-high 29 points as the Kent State men's basketball team picked up a gritty overtime road win, 85-71 win over North Carolina A&T in the consolation game of the WestStar Bank Sun Bowl Invite Tuesday night.
Whittington finished the night 9-of-12 from the floor, while scoring 21 points in the first half. Whittington also grabbed 12 boards and recorded his third double-double of the season.
The win moves Kent State to 4-0 in overtime games over the last two seasons.
KSU was forced to play catch-up throughout majority of the second half due to foul trouble. Down by four with 46 seconds remaining, a three from Danny Pippen brought the Flashes within one. The Aggies took a 68-65 with eight seconds remaining, giving KSU one possession to tie the game. Senior Mitch Peterson drained a corner three at the buzzer to send the game to overtime.
In the extra session, the Flashes went on a 12-0 burst and held the Aggies scoreless for over four minutes of play. KSU's defense was spot on as NC A&T's only points came from a three-pointer with two minutes remaining. The Flashes held off any Aggies' comeback hopes and secured the 85-71 overtime victory.
Pippen added 17 points and grabbed six rebounds while Troy Simons rounded out the double-figure scoring with 14 points.
Kent State returns home and will play its last game of the non-conference schedule as the Flashes host Hampton on Saturday, Dec. 21 at the M.A.C. Center. Tip time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
