LEXINGTON, Ky. -- If Kent State had any doubters, they don't have any more.
Antonio Gates registered a game-high 22 points and eight rebounds and Trevor Huffman pitched in 17 as the No. 10 Golden Flashes (30-5) defeated No. 3 Pittsburgh 78-73 in overtime Thursday night in the South regional semifinals.
"I felt our seniors, our team, did an outstanding job playing with some poise, competing and playing with some toughness," Kent State coach Stan Heath said. "We did a good job rebounding the ball. I think that was the biggest key in that we were able to hold our own. Down the stretch, I thought our leadership and experience made a difference in executing and getting good shots."
Experience was certainly helpful for the Flashes, as seniors Andrew Mitchell and Trevor Huffman and junior Antiono Gates combined to score all of Kent State's points in the extra period.
Gates started the overtime with a mid-range jumper, but an Ontario Lett steal and layup for Pittsburgh evened the score at 68. Gates then sank two free throws to give Kent State the lead again. Then, co-Big East player of the year Branden Knight hit a shot to tie the game at 70.
Two minutes later, with 1:11 to go, Panthers' guard Jaron Brown hit 1-of-2 free throws to give Pittsburgh (29-6) a one-point lead. On the next possession, Huffman banked an off-balance runner to give the Golden Flashes a one-point lead they would not relinquish.
"Once we got into overtime, I felt confident that we had veterans that would execute," Heath said. "They are tough-minded and they are resilient."
The game almost didn't get into overtime.
With 25 seconds remaining in regulation, Gates went up for a shot and made it, but the official called a jump ball, giving the ball back to Pittsburgh on the alternate possession.
The Panthers were unable to get a good look at the basket, though, and Julius Page's long three-pointer as time expired was never on line.
"I think it was a good call," Kent State's Andrew Mitchell said. "The guy had his hand on top of the ball and the official made the call."
Saturday, Kent State will play Indiana, a team it upset in the first round of last year's NCAA Tournament.
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