Photo Credit: WKSU
Akron’s 30 game home win streak is over.
The Kent State Golden Flashes looked determined in their 70-67 victory over their rival Akron Zips at the James Rhodes Arena on Friday night.
The Flashes dominated the 2nd half, outscoring Akron by 8 and holding them scoreless for more than five minutes at one point in the half. Akron missed 10 straight field goals during that span.
However, the Zips recovered from that stretch and managed to tie the game and take the lead at one point, 47-46. That would be the last time the Zips held a lead in the game though, as guard Deon Edwin caught fire and led the Flashes to victory.
A huge concern for the Flashes heading into this contest was turnovers, which had plagued the team for most of the MAC Season, averaging almost 17 per game. Kent State did a superb job of keeping the ball safe with only 5 turnovers in the tightly contested game, which is a major reason they were able to win.
The Flashes were led by the trio of Jaylin Walker (16 points and 6 rebounds), Jimmy Hall (18 points and 6 rebounds) and Edwin (21 points on 7-11 from the field and 7 rebounds).
With the win the Flashes move to 15-12 overall and 7-7 in the MAC. This victory also puts the Flashes right back into the fight for a top 4 seed and a first-round bye in the MAC Tournament, which is just two weeks away.
The loss sends Akron to 22-5 and 12-2 in the MAC, but they are still on pace for the #1 overall seed in the MAC Tournament and the all important first round bye.
The Flashes will be back on the road in their next game at the Alumni Arena in Buffalo on Tuesday, followed by games against Ohio and Bowling Green, before returning to the MAC Center to take on the Zips again in the final regular season game of the year, on March 3rd.