Kent State University
22-10 (11-7MAC)
Central Michigan University
23-10 (10-8MAC)
Whittington's Career Day Not Enough in Quarterfinal Loss
3/14/2019 4:57:00 PM | Men's Basketball
CLEVELAND – Kent State's hopes of a MAC Tournament title will wait another year after falling to Central Michigan 89-81, Thursday afternoon at Quicken Loans Arena. Junior Philip Whittington scored a career-high 23 points and led both sides with 14 rebounds, recording his ninth double-double of the season.
Senior Jaylin Walker added 19 points and 11 rebounds, but the Golden Flashes' late comeback attempt ran out of time.
Early in the second half, the Flashes went on a 9-0 run and soon after took a brief lead (52-51) on a jumper by Walker. Central Michigan responded with a 22-2 run, taking it largest lead of the game, 73-54 with 7:48 to play.
Kent State trimmed the margin down to seven (79-72) when Antonio Williams hit a three-pointer with 2:37 remaining. It was the closest the Flashes would come, before being forced to foul, sending CMU to the line.
Kent State out-rebounded Central Michigan 42-40, and were able to convert18 offensive rebounds into 23 second-chance points. The Flashes dominated in the paint with 40 points, their most of the season.
Seniors Jalen Avery and Akiean Frederick rounded out the Flashes' double-figure scoring as Avery scored 13 points and Frederick with 10.
Now 22-10 on the season, Kent State will await news this weekend on the possibility of a postseason tournament.
