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Northern Illinois vs. Kent State Final Score: Golden Flashes Blow Double-Digit Lead in 50-49 Loss To NIU

Another brutal loss for Kent State, that was what was on the menu Wednesday night. The Flashes have just not been able to find ways to win close out games and they continue to descend down the MAC ladder. As for the Huskies, a second MAC win before a stretch of winnable games could be the beginning of a nice streak.

Darrell Bowie and company blew past Kent State late in the second quarter.
Darrell Bowie and company blew past Kent State late in the second quarter.
Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

A 13 point lead with under 12 minutes to go was not enough for Kent State (11-9, 2-5 MAC) Wednesday night as the Flashes laid an egg in the closing moments yet again, falling to Northern Illinois (8-11, 2-5 MAC) 50-49 for the Huskies first win in Kent since 2003.


Since beating NIU in overtime on Jan. 15, neither team had won a game entering tonight. Both were struggling to shoot the ball and just couldn't find consistency on offense. But, something seemed different tonight as Kent State came out with a different starting lineup and seemed to be playing with some extra urgency on defense. The Huskies seemed lethargic, as the Golden Flashes took a seven point lead into halftime.

In the second half, the Flashes came out aggressive and extended their lead to 14. The Huskies however would answer with under 12 minutes to go with a 10-point run sparked by Askel Bolin's three pointer. With 3:16 to go, Darrell Bowie hit the go ahead layup for the Huskies to give them their first lead of the game. The Flashes were up one with under nine seconds to go when the Huskies ran the floor and got a foul call underneath. Two Travon Baker free throws were all she wrote as the Huskies would win by one.

Bolin led the Huskies with 14 points. Jordan Threloff added ten points and eight rebounds. The Huskies shot 34 percent from the field and 23 percent from three point land, but converted on 15 of 17 free throws.

Kent State was led by Darren Goodson with ten points. Mark Henniger added eight points and six rebounds. The Flashes shot the ball very poorly once again at 35 percent and missed 13 three pointers, in what has been a disturbing trend all year long for Flashes fans.

Next up for Northern Illinois is Ball State while Kent State will take on arch-rival Akron at home on Saturday.