The Kent St. Golden Flashes run in the 2011 NIT Basketball Tournament is over. After becoming the first road team to win two games in the NIT since 2005, Kent saw it’s road fortune come to an end in Boulder, CO against the Colorado Buffaloes 81-74.
Justin Greene scored 20 points and grabbed 7 rebounds to lead the Flashes(25-12) while guard Michael Porrini scored 14 points and dished out 5 assists. The Flashes shot the ball well – 50% from the field – but struggled on the glass where Colorado out-rebounded Kent State 36-26. The Buffaloes grabbed 14 offensive rebounds to just 8 for Kent State.
Alec Burks scored 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for Colorado who will next travel to New York City for the NIT Semifinals. Burks is a NBA prospect and showed why tonight in his 11-18 performance.
The Buffaloes took a 36-31 halftime lead, but the Flashes rallied to tie the game at 41 with 17 minutes to go. The lead switched hands multiple times in the 2nd half with Kent State leading 65-61 with 7 minutes to go.
The Buffaloes used a 15-5 run, however, to take a 75-70 lead with 3 minutes remaining. Kent State was able to get within two points at 77-75 with 2:15 to go, but Colorado finished the game with four straight points as Kent State missed multiple opportunities down the stretch.