Deon Edwin and Jimmy Hall combined . . .
The game was close from start to finish, with neither team leading by more than six points. The Flashes scored on their first three trips down the floor, but were the first to fall behind by six points with 8:57 remaining in the half, at 22-16.
Out of a timeout, a three-point play by Hall and a 3-pointer from Jalen Avery tied the game up. The two teams were within a possession of each other for the rest of the half, and entered the locker room, tied at 38.
Both teams came out firing away in the second half and shot over 50 percent during the first 10 minutes of the period. Tied at 54, the Flashes went for a 10-4 run on a 3-pointer from Avery and three baskets in the paint from Edwin. The run gave Kent State its largest lead of the game at 64-58 with 10:42 remaining. However, the Flashes could not capitalize, and embarked on a four-minute stretch without a field goal.
With 1:48 left, Desmond Ridenour scored on a mid-range jumper to put his team up 75-72. Marquise Moore cut the Flash lead to one with a layup, and Jalen Jenkins earned a steal to regain possession. Up a point, Kent State recorded a stop when Alonzo Walker came from behind to swat away a layup for his second block.
With 30 seconds left, George Mason immediately fouled, but the Flashes missed the first of a one-and-one. Nine seconds later, George Mason's Otis Livingston knocked down a 3-pointer to put Kent State behind, 77-75. Out of a timeout, the game-tying shot was missed with two seconds left, and the Patriots were able to ice the game at the foul line.
Overall, Kent State shot 44.1 percent (26-for-59) from the floor, while George Mason hit 47.7 percent (31-for-65). Each team made seven 3-pointers on the day. George Mason had a slight edge in offensive rebounds, 17-14, but Kent State won the turnover battle, 11-13.
Courtesy of KSU Athletics)