Kent State University
19-7, 8-5MAC
Central Michigan
18-8, 7-6MAC
Flashes Fall on the Road to Central Michigan
2/19/2019 10:12:00 PM | Men's Basketball
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.- Leading by four points with 3:50 to play, Central Michigan (18-8, 7-6 MAC) ended with an 11-5 run to defeat Kent State (19-7, 8-5 MAC), 84-74, on Tuesday night at McGuirk Arena.
Kent State drops to 19-7 overall and 8-5 in league play, while Central Michigan improves to 18-8 overall and 7-6 in MAC play.
The Flashes were led by three players that scored in double-figures with junior Philip Whittington leading the way with 18 points and five rebounds. Senior Jaylin Walker added 14 points and seven rebounds, while junior Antonio Williams rounded out the double-digit scoring with 13 points, four assists, and three steals.
Central Michigan jumped out to a 12-8 lead to open the contest before back-to-back baskets from BJ Duling tied the score at 12 with just under 11 minutes to play. The Chippewas answered back with a 3-pointer that ignited a 6-0 run, extending Central Michigan's lead to 19:14.
KSU's offense scored six-straight points that brought the Flashes within three, 33-30, and forced the Chippewas to call a timeout with just under three minutes before intermission.
Central Michigan swung back and extended its lead to 10 before KSU closed the half with a layup and free throw from Walker to cut the deficit to 40-33 at the break.
Coming out of the break, the Flashes went on a 7-0 scoring run that closed the gap to 43-38. The back-and-forth play continued as the teams traded baskets before the Flashes took a 64-59 lead, their largest of the game, with 8:33 left to play.
CMU answered back with a 10-1 run that gave the Chips a 69-67 lead with 5:48 to play. Kent State closed it within two-points from an Akiean Frederick dunk, but CMU ended the final two minutes with a 6-1 scoring run that claimed the victory.
For the game, Kent State shot 24-of-61 (39.3 percent) from the floor and was limited to 1-of-14 from beyond the arc. The Flashes forced 13 turnovers and scored 17 points off the Chippewas miscues.
Kent State will close out the weekend with a visit to Buffalo on Friday, Feb. 22. at Alumni Arena on ESPN2. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.
