Kent State University
20-8
Ohio University
12-15
Flashes Survive Ohio, 78-73
2/26/2019 11:23:00 PM | Men's Basketball
KENT, Ohio- Senior Jaylin Walker's 18 second-half points helped lift Kent State to a 78-73 win over MAC East foe, Ohio, Tuesday in the M.A.C. Center.
The Flashes improved to 20-8 overall and 9-6 in league play and 9-0 in games that are decided by five points or fewer.
Ohio is 12-15 overall and 4-11 in MAC play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Despite the Flashes starting the opening half going 0-for-3 from the field, Philip Whittington dropped in a layup that got Kent State on the board. Kent State held Ohio scoreless for the next two and a half minutes before a dunk from Antonio Williams ignited a 12-1 run over 4:40 minutes of play.
The run closed on a deep three from Williams that extended the Flashes' lead to double-digits, 22-10.
Ohio answered back with a 9-2 run over the next 3:37 that erased KSU's double-figure lead to 28-24. The Flashes held the Bobcats scoreless for the last 2:41 minutes in the half, but Ohio sunk a buzzer-beating three that sent Kent State into the break with a 35-31 lead.
Ohio used a 5-0 scoring run at the 7:18 mark in the second half that put the Bobcats ahead with a 61-57 lead. Kent State answered back with a 6-0 run of its own to take back the lead, 63-61 from back-to-back three-pointers from Walker and Jalen Avery.
With 1:51 remaining, Ohio evened the game at 71 with a jumper before freshman Anthony Roberts hit the go-ahead bucket. Avery sunk a late 3-pointer that highlighted the Flashes' 5-1 run that put KSU up by two possessions, 76-72. Walker was sent to the line and knocked down both free throws that clinched the 78-73 win.
LEADERS
Walker led the team with a game-high 23 points, six rebounds, and dished out three assists. Walker scored 13 points in the final five minutes of the game. Williams added 15 points six rebounds and had two blocks, while Akiean Frederick scored 10 points and brought down a team-high nine rebounds.
NEXT
The Flashes are back on the road as they travel to Bowling Green on Friday night at 6 p.m. Friday's game will broadcast on CBS Sports Network.
