Kent State Holds off Shorthanded Ball State Squad in Overtime, 83-80

Saturday, February 2

Muncie, Ind.

Noon ET

Ball State University

Kent State

OT 1

Kent St.

Ball St.

Photo by: Ball State University Creative Services

Kent State Holds off Shorthanded Ball State Squad in Overtime, 83-80

February 02, 2019 | Men's Basketball

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Cardinals rally from nine down at final media timeout to force extra period

MUNCIE, Ind. -- It looked like the Ball State men's basketball team was finally going to be able to shake off its home struggles in Mid-American Conference play Saturday afternoon, but in the end Kent State found a way to pull out an 83-80 overtime win over the Cardinals.

Ball State (11-11, 2-7 MAC) fell to .500 overall with the loss and a head-scratching 0-4 at home against league opposition. Meanwhile, Kent State (16-5, 5-3) won for the fifth time in its last six MAC games.

"I was proud of our guys," Ball State head coach James Whitford said. "I thought we really battled. We certainly had our cracks to win it."

Playing without injured starter Trey Moses put Ball State in a bind to begin the game. Not to mention key contributors Ishmael El-Amin and Brachen Hazen were still out battling injuries. Then, the team's leading rebounder and second leading scorer in Tahjai Teague fouled out with 3:54 remaining in regulation. At that point, Kent State held its largest lead of the game inside a very quiet Worthen Arena, 65-56.

However, junior K.J. Walton and the remaining Cardinals kept fighting and slowly clawed their way back into the contest. A Walton fastbreak dunk cut the deficit to four with 2:52 left, 65-61. Walton then converted an old-fashioned 3-point play with 26 seconds left to bring Ball State within one point, 68-67.

After Kent State netted two free throws with 17 seconds on the clock, Walton ignited the crowd with his first 3-pointer of the season, a step-back shot from the right wing with 4.6 seconds remaining, to force overtime at 70-all.

Free basketball.

K.J. Walton hits the clutch 3 for @BallStateMBB to send this one into overtime. pic.twitter.com/aPQi2PRyHd
— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) February 2, 2019

In overtime, Austin Nehls swished a transition 3-pointer with 1:42 on the clock to give Ball State its first lead since late in the first half, 76-75. Walton then converted two free throws with 34 seconds remaining in the extra period to push the Ball Sate advantage to three points, 80-77.

From that point on, everything went in Kent State's favor. A Jaylen Avery layup brought the Golden Flashes to within one point, 80-79. Kent State got the ball right back after forcing Ball State into a turnover on the ensuing inbounds pass.

Kent State's Antonio Williams then put the visitors in front for good with 2.9 seconds left on a putback layup of his own 20-foot heave off the backboard.

The Cardinals never got a chance for a winning shot as they turned the ball over on an errant inbounds pass. Kent State converted two more free throws following the turnover to clinch the win.

Walton led Ball State with a personal-high 26 points. Persons added 17 points and eight assists.

Five players finished in double figures for Kent State led by Avery and Jaylin Walker, who each had 18 points. Walker, the MAC's leading scorer, needed 26 shots to reach his 18 points, connecting on only five looks from the floor.

The Golden Flashes capitalized on 20 turnovers by Ball State for 29 points.

The Cardinals return to the road for their next game against Northern Illinois on Tuesday. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ beginning at 7 p.m. CT (8 ET).

"I was proud of our guys. I thought we really battled. We certainly had our cracks to win it."

Coach Whitford after today's overtime loss to Kent State. pic.twitter.com/rAKyM35yAd
— Ball State Basketball (@BallStateMBB) February 2, 2019

"We played well enough to win against a really good team."

Tayler Persons following today's overtime loss to Kent State. pic.twitter.com/ReXiOfj7UF
— Ball State Basketball (@BallStateMBB) February 2, 2019