Kent State University
11-5 (2-1MAC)
Northern Illinois University
7-8 (1-2MAC)
Flashes battle back to beat Northern Illinois in overtime
1/15/2014 10:54:00 PM | Men's Basketball
DeKalb, Ill. – Kris Brewer scored 25 points and Kent State's defense shut down Northern Illinois for most of the last 15 minutes of regulation and in overtime of a 73-64 comeback win at the NIU Convocation Center.
The Golden Flashes held the Huskies without a field goal from the 14:49 mark of the second half until just 3:29 remained in the game. That stretch helped the Golden Flashes erase a Huskies lead that reached 13 points with 10:49 to play. In overtime, Northern Illinois converted just two of its eight field goals.
"Sometimes you have to win when you don't play your best," said Kent State head coach Rob Senderoff, whose Flashes improved to 11-5 overall and 2-1 in Mid-American Conference play. "We didn't play very well in the first 30 minutes, but it was a very gritty last 10 minutes and overtime for us. I'm very proud of how we never quit."
Brewer started his night making just one of his first six shots from the field, but he took over the game after checking back into the ballgame with a little more than seven minutes to play. The junior point guard hit three big three-pointers, some clutch free throws and a few layups in traffic to lead the comeback. He ended up making 6-of-13 from the field and 10-of-12 from the foul line while committing just one turnover in 39 minutes.
"Brewer played in the second half and overtime the way he is supposed to play, and that's the way we need him to play the rest of the year," said Senderoff.
Devareaux Manley added two more three-pointers in the closing minutes, including the long jumper that deadlocked the game at 58-58 with a little more than 30 seconds to play in the second half. Manley finished with 10 points, while Derek Jackson added 14 points, five rebounds and four assists despite playing most of the final seven minutes saddled with four fouls.
After a timeout with 29 seconds remaining on the shot clock and 30 seconds left on the game clock, Northern Illinois failed to get off a shot in its final possession of regulation.
Kent State dominated overtime, outscoring the Huskies 15-6.
Northern Illinois scored just one field goal during a stretch that lasted almost 18 minutes and spanned most of the second half and overtime. The Huskies did most of their damage from the foul line, but even there struggled to shoot 62.8-percent, making just 27 of 43 free throws.
Aaron Armstead led Northern Illinois with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Travon Baker added 13 and Aaric Armstead added 12 for the Huskies, who fell to 7-8 overall and 1-2 in MAC play.
Kent State's road trip continues with a visit to the University at Buffalo on Saturday.
