Kent State uses strong 2nd half to beat Central Michigan (Jan 27, 2018)

By AP
Published

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (AP) Kevin Zabo had 22 points, Jaylin Walker added 21 and Kent State overcame a nine-point halftime deficit to beat Central Michigan 84-76 on Saturday.

Zabo's 3-pointer with 1:27 left made it 74-67 and Micah Peterson extended the lead to 78-69 on a pair of free throws at 1:01. The Chippewas got within five on Matt Beachler's 3 with 38 seconds left, but the Golden Flashes (11-10, 5-3 Mid-American Conference) made 3 of 4 free throws to hold on for the victory.

Kent State took the lead for good at 61-60 on Adonis De La Rosa's first of a pair of free throws and Walker's 3-pointer with 4:32 left capped a 9-2 run at 69-62. De La Rosa added 14 points.

The Golden Flashes erased most of their 41-32 halftime deficit with an 8-1 run to start the second period and overtook the Chippewas (13-8, 2-6) at 49-47 before the 15-minute mark.

Shawn Roundtree led five in double figures for Central Michigan with 17 points.