Kent State University
16-6,6-3MAC
Akron
16-6,6-3MAC
Phil Wills KSU to Dramatic Win
1/31/2020 9:38:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Senior's put-back seals the deal vs Zips
KENT, Ohio- Senior Philip Whittington's put-back with 20-seconds left and Akron's Channel Banks' desperation 3-pointer sailed wide, giving Kent State an emotional 68-67 win in front of 6,339 on Friday night at the M.A.C. Center.
The see-saw game featured nine lead changes, including the offensive put-back that kept Kent State in front for good. Whittington- who was honored before the game for joining the 1,000-point club-scored nine of his 11 points in the second half. But junior Danny Pippen dominated the floor on both sides with a monster 20 point, 12 rebound performance. Pippen missed both games against the rival Zips last season due to injury.
"It was a great win for us," head coach Rob Senderoff said. "We made enough plays down the stretch and we just needed one stop late and we got it."
The Zips used a 6-0 run after forcing a 10-second violation to take a 67-66 lead with 35 seconds left. That's when Whittington arrived with the heroics, putting KSU in front by one. With 20 seconds left, the Zips Loren Christian-Jackson drove to the paint before whipping the pass back out. Simons rotated perfectly and denied the off-balance three as the buzzer sounded.
"I've been waiting on this day to come," Pippen said of playing his rival again. "I went to bed early because I wanted to get up early (to focus) on this game. I did my thing and we won."
Senior Antonio Williams finished with 17 points and five rebounds, while senior Troy Simons rounded out the double-figure scoring with 11 points.
The win moves Kent State 16-6 overall and 6-3 in league play with Ball State coming to town on Tuesday. Tip time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
