 KENT STATE 78, WESTERN MICHIGAN 73, OT With the loss, the Broncos fall to 10-13 on the season, with a 4-5 record in Mid-American Conference play. Kent State, meanwhile, won for the fourth time in as many outings, raising its record to 16-6 overall, 6-3 MAC.
The Broncos had two players record double-doubles -- the first time this year that the feat has occurred. Demetrius Ward finished with a game-high 21 points to go with 10 rebounds, and senior Flenard Whitfield netted 18 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Also reaching double figures was Nate Hutcheson, who finished with 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting, and Stainbrook, who came off the bench to provide 11 points.
The Broncos led as late as the 2:11 mark in the second half, but the Flashes' Randal Holt hit back-to-back 3-pointers late in the second half to give Kent State a 64-61 lead. Stainbrook drove baseline for a lay-up at the 1:05 mark and drew a foul from Justin Greene to earn the free throw. Stainbrook made the shot to tie the game at 64-64, which carried over into overtime.
Kent State scored the first eight points of the overtime period, but the Broncos still had an opportunity to send the game to a second overtime period. Trailing 76-70 with 15 seconds remaining, Ward hit a 3-pointer from just beyond the top of the key to cut Kent State's lead to just 76-73.
Ward fouled KSU's Chris Evans with eight seconds remaining, and Evans proceeded to miss both free throws to give the Broncos a chance to tie the score. However, KSU's Michael Porrini made a diving play to save a loose ball and maintain possession for KSU, who wrapped up the game, 78-73.
WMU came out strong against the Flashes and hung tight with them throughout the first half. KSU got out to a 21-14 lead with 8:16 remaining when Patrick Jackson made a lay-up.
Whitfield countered on the next possession with a lay-up of his own and the comeback was on. Hutcheson hit a three from the corner at the 5:36 mark to tie the score at 23-23, and WMU knotted it again at the 3:42 mark on a Brandon Pokley trey. The Broncos entered the locker room at half with a one-point lead when Hutcheson buried another three, this one from the corner, to make it 33-32 at the break.
The Broncos will be back in action on Wednesday, February 8, when they host the MAC-leading Akron Zips at University Arena. Kent State is at Eastern Michigan (7 p.m. Wednesday).
NOTES:
- Four Kent State players reached double figures, led by Justin Green’s 19 points. Joining him were Chris Evans (18), Carlton Guyton (14) and Randal Holt (13).
- WMU connected on 84.6 percent of its shots from the free throw line, but got only 13 opportunities (making 11). Kent State was awarded 35 shots and made 23 (65.7 percent.
- WMU held a 40-35 rebound advantage.
- KSU recorded 11 steals, Porrini swiped four and Evans three to lead the thefts.
Courtesy of Kent State Athletics
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