Kent State University
22-9
Akron
16-15
Senior Night Classic: Flashes Nip Zips to Claim Four Seed
3/8/2019 11:36:00 PM | Men's Basketball
KENT, Ohio- With 14 seconds remaining, senior Jalen Avery tracked down a loose ball after two missed tip-ins and bounced a pass to junior Antonio Williams that sent Williams to the line for the game-winning free throws which gave Kent State a dramatic 68-65 win over Akron Friday night in front of a sellout crowd at the M.A.C. Center.
With the win, the Flashes clinch the No. 4 seed and will play in Thursday's MAC Tournament quarterfinal in Cleveland against the winner of Monday's matchup between No. 5 Central Michigan and No. 12 Western Michigan. Thursday's game will tip approximately at 2:30 p.m.
Avery and Williams both scored 18 points each with a combined eight assists, seven dished from Williams. Williams added to his statistic line with six rebounds, three steals, and provided a jolt to the Flashes in the second half with a dunk to put the Flashes ahead, 39-37.
Junior Philip Whittington scored a career-high 21 points with six rebounds, four being offensive boards.
Kent State finished the regular season with a 22-9 overall record and 11-7 in league play. With tonight's win, Kent State earned a half point for the Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge as Akron leads 5.5-3.5 with at least five points remaining.
