Kent State Survives To Beat BGSU On Senior Night

Tuesday, February 28

Bowling Green, OH

7:00 PM

Bowling Green State University

13-17 (7-10)

Kent State

18-12 (10-7)

Kent State

Bowling Green

February 28, 2017 | Men's Basketball

Box Score

By: by James Nahikian, BGSU Athletic Communications

Game Highlights: BGSU vs. Kent State
Post-Game Video: Coach Huger
Post-Game Audio: Coach Huger With Todd Walker
Photo Gallery: Craig Bell (BGSU Marketing & Communications) -- Coming Shortly
Photo Gallery: Larry Clapper
Final Statistics: PDF | HTML

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – The Bowling Green State University men's basketball team dropped a 74-67 decision to Kent State University on Tuesday (Feb. 28) evening at the Stroh Center. Bowling Green had possession of the ball, down by one point, with under a minute to play. But the Falcons did not score over the final 1:22 of play. Kent State made its final three free throws to ice the game.

On Senior Night, Bowling Green's three seniors – Wes Alcegaire, Ismail Ali and Zack Denny – led the Falcons in scoring. Ali had a team-high 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting. He also dished out four assists, and had one steal. Denny had 13 points and three rebounds, while Alcegaire posted 12 points and eight rebounds.

Kent State appeared to have the game won with 2:11 to play, as an and-one layup gave the Golden Flashes a 68-61 lead. Ali scored a tough layup inside on the other end, and after a KSU turnover, Alcegaire dunked over a KSU player in the paint, brining the Falcons within three points at 68-65 with 1:33 to play.

The Falcons pressured the Golden Flashes, and Matt Fox picked off a pass at half court, and scored a breakaway layup with 1:22 left to narrow Kent State's lead to a single point, 68-67. Fox, who went 5-for-7 from downtown in the first meeting between the two team's this year, went 3-for-5 from deep, and registered 11 points and five rebounds.

After the Fox layup, Bowling Green was called for a foul, but KSU missed the front end of a one-and-one. However, Alcegaire missed a tough layup inside with 50 seconds remaining. Ali was called for a foul with 26 seconds left, and KSU hit both free throws to go up, 70-67.

On Bowling Green's ensuing possession, Alcegaire drove to the basket, forced contact on his arm, but ultimately lost the ball, allowing Kent State to force a turnover. Kent State hit both free throws on the other end to secure the win.

Jimmy Hall finished with 17 points and 15 rebounds for the Golden Flashes. The two-time First Team All-MAC selection went 8-for-11 from the field, and also posted four assists, two blocks and one steal, before fouling out of the game late in the second half. KSU's Jaylin Walker hit four three-pointers to finish with a game-high 18 points. Deon Edwin chipped in with 15 points and seven rebounds.

Kent State ranks second in the country in offensive rebounds per game, but BG out-rebounded the Golden Flashes. The Falcons posted 10 offensive rebounds and 27 defensive rebounds, while KSU had seven offensive rebounds and 27 defensive rebounds.

After forcing at least 14 turnovers in each of the last eight games, Bowling Green forced just eight turnovers, and Kent State registered 14 assists. The Falcons had 11 turnovers and 11 assists. There were seven ties and five lead changes in the contest.

The Falcons fall to 13-17 overall, and 7-10 in Mid-American Conference play with the loss. Kent State improves to 18-12 (10-7 MAC) with the victory. Bowling Green will finish out the regular season on Friday (March 3) at Buffalo. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. tip. The Falcons still have an opportunity to play a home game in the first round of the MAC Tournament, but need a win over the Bulls to have any chance.