Thursday, February 5, 2004
Kent State holds off NIU in win
Flashes rebound from early 24-10 deficit on road
Article by:
Steve Brown - Sports Reporter
• sbrown@northernstar.info
After a 24-10 run to start the game, the NIU men’s basketball
team looked to have taken control of the MAC East’s top team, Kent
State.
The Golden Flashes responded, however, holding NIU scoreless for more
than seven minutes in an 18-0 run. Both teams continued to battle, with
Kent State edging out the Huskies in the final seconds on its way to
a 69-67 win.
“It’s as hard of a loss as I’ve been around,” NIU
coach Rob Judson said. “For our team to struggle through adversities
and still fight with the best team in the east — it’s real
hard.”
Late in the second half, the Huskies came within grasp of a win with
a 7-0 run. Down 69-67 with with 14.6 remaining, Judson opted not to
go with the expected go-to man, Perry Smith.
“Perry had a hot hand for us, but we tried to setup a back door
play [for James Hughes],” Judson said. “We had a good look
at the buzzer, but there was a lot of contact.”
The 6-foot-11 Hughes went up for a six-foot jumper which fell short
and was rebounded by Kent State.
“It really tears my gut for my players because of where we are
right now,” Judson said.
NIU gained most of its points on three-point shooting in the first
half, with nine of the 11 field goals coming from behind the arc.
Todd Peterson scored all 15 of his points on three-pointers. The 6-foot-6
forward scored nine consecutive Huskies points that ended a Kent State
run, to put the Huskies up 33-32 at the break.
“We tried to change the defenses, but they’re a good shooting
team,” Kent State coach Jim Christian said. “When Peterson
gets hot, he can just shoot over us with his height.”
Kent State tried to get the Huskies out of their shooting rhythm after
NIU took an early lead, Christian said.
“We’re a team that takes what the defense gives us,”
Smith said. “If our three-point shooters are scoring, we go to
them.”
Smith led the Huskies in scoring with 21 points. Marcus Smallwood,
who did not play for the first 14 minutes of the game, also tied Smith
for a team-high six rebounds.
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