Flashes take down Toledo in extra time

With the Kent State and Toledo men’s basketball teams tied at 67, Toledo (16-9, 8-4 Mid-American Conference) freshman guard Stuckey Mosley had a chance to win the game at the free-throw line.

Instead, the freshman missed, and Friday’s game would be decided in overtime.

Free throws would again be the deciding factor, when senior guard Kris Brewer split two to give Kent State (17-8, 8-4 MAC) a 76-75 lead with 2.1 seconds remaining.

The Flashes then came away with two key defensive stops to seal the victory.

“I couldn’t be prouder of these guys. Winning on the road in this conference is tough, and this is a great win,” coach Rob Senderoff said. “I am proud of everybody who played tonight, but our three senior guards were outstanding.”

Following an Akron game where Senderoff voiced displeasure with his senior backcourt, guards Brewer, Derek Jackson and Devareaux Manley responded. The three combined for 58 points. Brewer led the way with 21 points, Jackson added 20 points and Manley finished with 17 points.

Redshirt sophomore forward Jimmy Hall missed his fourth consecutive game with mononucleosis and still has no set return date.

Senderoff had nothing but respect for the Rockets.

Give Toledo credit. They have a veteran team, and they were not going to stop playing,” Senderoff said. “We made a mistake (with 20 seconds to play in regulation) by fouling J.D. Weatherspoon on a tip-in, when we had just said in a timeout no threes and no fouls.”

Three players — senior forward Justin Drummond, who had 17 points and 10 rebounds, senior forward J.D. Weatherspoon, who had 16 points and 10 rebounds, and junior center Nathan Boothe, who finished with 15 points and 14 rebounds — posted double-doubles for the Rockets.

Kent State beat the Rockets earlier this season at home, 67-60. These two wins give the Flashes a sweep of the season series against Toledo.

The Flashes return to the M.A.C. Center on Wednesday at 7 p.m. to take on Ball State. Kent State won the first match up on the road, 63-52.

Contact Stephen Means II at [email protected].