Purdue Fort Wayne
Kent State
Golden Flashes Escape with Last Second Victory
12/20/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 20, 2007
Kent, OH - Junior guard Al Fisher's layup with six seconds remaining lifted Kent State to a 72-70 win over IPFW on Thursday night at the M.A.C.
IPFW had one final shot, but senior guard Demetrius Johnson's three-pointer at the buzzer bounced off the front of the rim.
The loss spoiled a fantastic comeback by the 'Dons in the second half.
The Mastodons trailed by as many as nine in the second half, and with 8:02 remaining, freshman guard Ben Botts brought IPFW back to within three on a pair of clutch triples.
Senior guard Chris Perkins cut the Golden Flashes' lead to 59-58 with a mid-range jumper of his own.
A layup by Johnson at the 3:38 mark gave IPFW a 63-62 lead.
After a KSU foul shot, Perkins came down the floor and knocked down a triple from the top of the key, putting the 'Dons up 63-60.
Kent State (9-2) fought back and on a tip-in by senior forward Mike Scott tied the game at 68-all.
With 1:03 remaining, it was Johnson again, slashing to the hoop and giving the Mastodons a 70-68 lead, but that lead would be short-lived.
Scott again went high into the air for another offensive put-back tying the contest at 70.
Then, on the next trip up the floor, a controversial offensive foul was called on IPFW junior forward David Carson, giving the Flashes the ball right back.
That is when Fisher got his layin to go, and seal the 9th win of the season for KSU.
The loss was a tough one for the Mastodons to take as they outshot Kent State 55.1% to 44.6%. Unfortunately, a rough night at the foul line contributed to the 'Dons loss. IPFW was just 9-20 from the stripe for 45%, well under the teams 73.5% average.
Botts had a tremendous game for IPFW, leading the 'Dons with 20 points on 8-12 shooting (4-7 from behind the arc).
Demetrius Johnson and senior forward Jaraun Burrows each registered double-doubles. Johnson had 15 points and 10 assists. It was the fourth time this season that "Meechie" has had 10 or more assists in a game.
Burrows had 11 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out at the 2-minute mark.
Junior forward David Carson, in just his second game of the season, chipped in nine points.
Kent State was led by Mike Scott who posted his own double-double of 22 points and 16 rebounds. Fisher was the only other Flash in double-digits with 10.
IPFW (4-7) will now return home for a game with the University of North Florida on December 29 at 2:00 p.m. at the Hilliard Gates Sports Center. IPFW will finish off the 2007 portion of the schedule with a New Year's Eve 2:00 p.m. game at Ball State.
~Dons~
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