Kent State basketball clinches MAC title

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Kent State senior guard Deon Edwin and junior guard Desmond Ridenour celebrate after beating Akron 70-65 in the MAC Championship Game at Quicken Loans in Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday, March 11, 2017. Kent State has punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament.

Henry Palattella

Jaylin Walker’s 30 points helped lead the Kent State men’s basketball over Akron by a final score of 70-65 to lead the Kent State Flashes to the MAC Championship. 

Walker was aided by senior Jimmy Hall, who scored 19 points and collected 10 rebounds. Both Walker and Hall were named to the all-tournament team, with Walker being named MVP.

The Flashes as a team went 26-49 from the field to go along with 11 rebounds.

Isiah Johnson led the Zips with 24 points, while Jimond Ivey added 18.

Akron took a 49-47 lead with nine minutes left, but the Flashes pulled ahead late and stole on the momentum on a Mitch Peterson three with 3:35 left to give Kent a 60-51 lead that they carried until the end. 

Henry Palattella is the sports editor, contact him at [email protected].