As the time ticked down in the second half with the Falcons down three points, junior Jehvon Clarke banked in a three to tie the game with nine seconds left.
“I was just trying to make a play for my team,” Clarke said.
The game looked bound for overtime until Akron’s senior forward Quincy Diggs hit a 19 foot jumper over the out stretched arm of Clarke to win the game.
“When Clarke hit that three I had déjà vu of Kent State,” Diggs said. “Coach said go, and I saw the opportunity in the one-on-one and I took it.”
With the shot by Diggs, Akron defeated the Falcons 65-63 and gave them their second loss in a row.
“I did not want to go to OT because they were in a rhythm at the end,” Diggs said. “I’m glad we got the win on the road.”
Throughout the second half whenever the Zips needed a big basket, Akron coach Keith Dambrot was seen waving his arms giving Diggs the isolation. Diggs took advantage of those opportunities late in the half.
“Coach always gives me freedom at the end to try and make a play for myself or the team,” Diggs said. “I feel good that he feels good to put the ball in my hands.”
The Falcons knew the ball was going into Diggs hands, head coach Louis Orr said.
“He wasn’t passing that ball, he made the last two shots,“ Orr said. “He was either going to win the game or send it to overtime. He is one of those kinds of guys who want to be in that position.”
After making the tying three Clarke was in a defensive mismatch as Diggs had a five inch advantage on him.
“I made him take a jumper instead of driving on me,” Clarke said. “He made a tough shot.”
The Falcons put themselves in another deficit early in the first half like they did against the University of Toledo this past Wednesday.
Like that game, they came up short in the end and could not make the comeback.
“Our fight gave us a chance because there were certain areas of the game that we need to control,” Orr said. “The defensive backboard, I thought, was a big key.”
The Falcons committed 18 turnovers and shot 14-22 from the free throw line. Akron scored 18 points on second chance opportunities and out rebounded 33-29.
“We have to capitalize on every possession,” Clarke said. “We can’t allow second chance points that put us in a hole.”
