Kent State University
Miami University
“ONE-EYED” Walker Rescues Flashes
2/5/2019 11:04:00 PM | Men's Basketball
KENT, Ohio- Senior Jaylin Walker scored the game's final four points to lift Kent State (17-5, 6-3 MAC) to a 70-67 win over Miami (12-11, 4-6 MAC) on Tuesday night at the M.A.C. Center. The victory was the Flashes' fifth of their last six games.
With Kent State trailing 67-64 with 1:14 to play, senior Jalen Avery drew a foul and hit both free throws that brought the Flashes within one-point. On the next possession, Kent State's defense forced a Miami shot clock violation that set up Walker's foul shots to take the lead.
Down by one point with 22 seconds remaining, the senior sunk both free throws with a swollen shut eye that put the Flashes ahead, 68-67. Miami had one last chance but missed a layup and Walker grabbed the defensive rebound, drawing the last foul. Walker would make his final two free throws that secured the 70-67 win.
Walker led all scorers with 27 points and was one rebound shy of a double-double as he completed an all-around performance with an assist and steal.
Senior Akiean Frederick followed with a 12-point effort on 4-of-7 shooting from the floor which included sinking a shot from deep. Frederick added five rebounds, an assist, and two blocks. Junior Antonio Williams rounded out the Flashes' offense with 11 points, four points, and two assists.
In the first half, Williams started the scoring with a dunk, followed by a Philip Whittington layup that contributed to the Flashes' 4-0 advantage. The Flashes would hold the RedHawks scoreless for five minutes until Miami used a 7-0 opening run to take their first lead of the game. The Flashes would then go on a 9-0 scoring run that was highlighted by a 3-pointer from Walker, followed with a floater that put Kent State ahead, 24-16.
The Flashes added to their first-half lead ending on a shot beyond the arc from Frederick with 41 seconds left to play in the opening half. Miami had a chance to cut the Flashes' lead but missed on a 3-pointer sending Kent State into the break with a 37-28 lead.
Miami came out of the break hot and went on a 10-1 run that squared the game at 38. A 7-0 run highlighted with a 3-pointer by freshman Anthony Roberts put the Flashes back up 49-44 before Miami would even things back up at 49 with 10:39 left to play. From there the game went back-and-forth as neither team would go ahead no more than 3 points for the remainder of the game.
The Flashes won the battle of the boards 32-30 and also outscored Miami in the paint, 32-20. From the charity stripe, the Flashes went 21-of-23 shooting 91.3 percent of their free throws, while the RedHawks went 14-of-16 (87.5 percent) from the line.
Kent State will travel to Akron for the first installment of the across town rivalry match against the Zips. The Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge showdown is on Friday, Feb. 8 at James A. Rhodes Arena with a 9 p.m. tipoff. The game will be aired on ESPNU.
