By Michael Stainbrook

     At first, Ohio’s 14-point halftime lead against Kent State seemed comfortable. By the end of the game, it was merely — and barely — sufficient.

     The Bobcats needed less than seven minutes to establish a double-digit lead Saturday, but they would need extra time to secure am 88-87 win against the Mid-American Conference’s top squad.

     Ohio (16-13, 8-6 Mid-American Conference) came out poised and prepared to take on Kent State while the Golden Flashes struggled to keep pace. Half-court alley-oops from D.J. Cooper and Nick Kellogg to DeVaughn Washington highlighted a half in which Washington finished with 14 points and Cooper had nine assists.

     Tommy Freeman’s two free throws with 3:15 to play in the half gave him 1,000 career points. He is the 31st Ohio player to accomplish the feat.

     Ohio took a 42-28 lead into the locker room. The lead ballooned to as many as 21 points early in the second half.

     But Kent State caught fire with about 15 minutes left in the game. The Golden Flashes reeled off a 30-8 run during an eight-minute stretch to transform the 21-point deficit into a one-point lead.

     Only 11 seconds after Kent State grabbed its first lead of the night, Cooper revived the Bobcats by draining 3-pointer from the top of the arc. Neither team led by more than four points for the rest of regulation.

     Kent State’s Justin Greene connected from inside the paint to tie the game at 77 with 56 seconds to play. Ohio got an offensive rebound on its next possession, but Cooper’s last-second shot missed the mark, sending the game to overtime.

     Washington, who managed only two second-half field points, made two key baskets to lead the Bobcats in extra time. His dunk with 2:51 remaining cut Kent State’s lead to three points. With 15 seconds to play, he put up a six-foot contested shot from the paint that found its way through the rim.

     Michael Porrini’s jumper with two seconds on the clock missed the mark. Ohio got possession on a jump ball and ran out the clock.

     Ohio’s starters all finished in double figures.

     Rodriquez Sherman led all scorers with 21 points for Kent State, which fell to 19-10, 10-4 MAC.