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Kent State Golden Flashes vs. Bowling Green Falcons men's basketball final: WOWOWOW. Kent comes through clutch

In a game that was a little higher scoring than we're used to between Kent and Bowling Green, the Golden Flashes ride the 3-ball and do just enough late to secure a victory.

Devareaux Manley hit a late, crucial 3-pointer to help Kent State prevail over BG.
Devareaux Manley hit a late, crucial 3-pointer to help Kent State prevail over BG.
Jim O'Connor-USA TODAY Sports

For the team that has the best points per game against average in the conference coming in (60.1), Bowling Green was sweating heavily as Kent continually knocked down 3-pointers and pushed the Falcons to the brink in the Stroh Center. And it looked like the Falcons might continue their successful 2014-2015 campaign by going into their final game with a great shot at a top two seed. But then, Devareaux Manley hit a dagger of a bucket from about 25 feet to put KSU up 78-77 with 46 seconds remaining, and ultimately, secured the win.

Bowling Green had a chance to grab a share of the MAC East lead with a victory, but failed to secure the game due to the ridiculously clutch play of Coach Rob Senderoff's crew.

After a questionable foul call on Jimmy Hall (after Derek Jackson, one of the league's best free throw shooters, missed the front end of a one-and-one with 13 seconds left), Delvin Dicksinon went to the charity stripe with a chance to give Bowling Green the lead. He missed both. Manley hit one of two free throws with 11 seconds remaining and Jehvon Clarke followed up a timeout with 8.4 seconds left by missing an open three that rimmed out, much to the chagrin of the large Falcons crowd.

Kent was up at the half 41-36, but soon lost its lead in the second, and it was the Flashes who slowly chipped away throughout much of the second half. Senderoff's crew couldn't quite pull even until Manley's clutch three that helped secure the Flashes' the victory, and their 20th of the year at that.

Richaun Holmes put in a masterful performance with 29 points and nine boards, and may well have secured his spot as the MAC player of the year. He also rejected four Flashes shots into oblivion.

It was Kent's sharpshooting that won the day on the road. The Golden Flashes shot 61.7 percent from 3-point land, going 13-21 overall.

Manley (18), Jimmy Hall (17), and Derek Jackson (15) contributed much-needed points in one of the most impressive offensive performances of the year. The 81 points tied for the best scoring performance in MAC play for KSU, with the other such instances occurring against Miami on Feb 24th.

Game Leaders

Player HOME AWAY
Points Richaun Holmes (29) Kris Brewer (21)
Rebounds Richaun Holmes (29) 3 tied with 6
Assists David Joseph (4) Derek Jackson 4
Blocks Richaun Holmes (4) Jimmy Hall/Marquiez Lawrence with 1
Steals David Joseph (3) Dev Manley/Jackson 1 each