AKRON, Ohio — Kent’s State’s hot and cold season hit a hot spot with a 70-67 road victory over rival Akron Friday evening in Rhodes Arena.
The victory snapped Akron’s 30-game home win streak and kept the Zips from locking down the Mid-American Conference championship.
‘I’m very proud of the way we could finish it out,” Kent coach Rob Senderoff said.
Close games have been Akron’s strength with its ability to close out games at the end. but Friday it was Kent State (15-12 overall, 7-7 in the MAC).
“We’ve been flirting with this all year,” said Akron coach Keith Dambrot about the Zips who are now 22-5, 12-2.
Kent’s Deon Edwin scored 15 of his 21 points in the second half of a game that was statistically the polar opposite of how both teams have played all season. Akron has been the 3-point powerhouse but only made 5-of-22 to Kent’s 7-of-19.
“We didn’t shoot the ball [well],” Dambrot said. “When we’ve been beat by the opposition on the 3-line, we lose.”
Akron’s Isaiah Johnson was the struggling free throw shooter coming into the game, but kept the Zips in this one going 8-of-11 at the line on a night he scored 18 points.
But it was his one critical Johnson free throw miss with 29.9 seconds to play that kept Akron from a tie, and forced the Zips to foul. Kent’s sophomore point guard Jalen Avery then hit a pair to give Kent a 3-point lead with 23.8 seconds to play.
The big plus for Kent was a 15-2 start to the second half that helped the Golden Flashes take a 43-38 lead holding Akron to 1-for-11 shooting in the process.
“It was one of our better halves (this year) when we take care of the basketball,” Hall said.
The first half: Daniel Utomi came off the bench with three 3-pointers to help Akron take a 36-31 halftime lead. Equally helpful was Akron center Isaiah Johnson going 4-of-6 from the line.
Meanwhile Kent’s leading scorer, senior Jimmy Hall, was 3-for-10 shooting but sophomore Jaylin Walker had 10 points to help keep the Golden Flashes within range at the break.
By the numbers: It’s the little things that keep Akron ahead of the pack in conference play. They are third in assists with 15.2 per game; No. 1 in assist/turnover margin at 1.5 per game and No. 4 in scoring defense holding teams to 73.9 points a game. Kent remains solid in rebounding, No. 2 in the MAC at plus 4.5 a game; No. 2 in blocked shots at 3.8 per game and No. 3 in free throw shooting at 73.3 percent a game.
Next up: Kent stays on the road next Tuesday at the hottest team in the league, Buffalo. The Bulls have won five straight, and now play four of their final five games at home. Counting Akron, Kent plays three of its next four on the road. Starting with its next game Tuesday at Bowling Green, Akron plays three of its next four on the road including games at Buffalo and at Kent State.
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