College basketball: Kent State rallies to stun Wright State

Wright State’s Jaylon Hall. FILE PHOTO

Wright State’s Jaylon Hall. FILE PHOTO

Wright State built a 16-point first-half lead and still led by nine with 10 minutes to go, but visiting Kent State staged a furious rally to pull out a 72-71 victory Saturday.

The Golden Flashes (3-1) cut the margin to 68-66 on an inside bucket by Philip Wittington with 56 seconds to go.

After a timeout with 51 seconds left, the Raiders (3-1) milked the clock, and Bill Wampler, who had 18 points, drew a foul with 34.8 seconds left. He swished both free throws, but Kent State’s Troy Simon made a 3-pointer with 24.2 seconds left to make it 70-69.

Jaylon Hall, who had 15 points, was fouled with 23 seconds left. Shooting the double-bonus, he made one of two attempts for a two-point edge.

But Danny Pippen made a 3-pointer from the corner with 10 seconds left. And a 15-footer at the buzzer by Wampler bounced off the rim.