March 12, 2004
Box Score
By TOM WITHERS
AP Sports Writer
CLEVELAND - DeAndre Haynes scored 22 points, John Edwards added 17 and Kent State turned to its defense in the second half for a 66-56 semifinal win over Miami University in the Mid-American Conference tournament on Friday night.
The second-seeded Golden Flashes (22-7) advanced to their fourth straight MAC final where they will meet top-seeded Western Michigan (25-4) on Saturday with the winner getting the conference's automatic NCAA tournament berth.
The Broncos advanced to the final for the first time since 1993 with an 87-77 win over Toledo in the first semifinal.
Kent State won its only meeting with Western Michigan in the regular season, 84-71.
After losing twice to Miami this season, the Golden Flashes weren't going to allow a three-game sweep.
Kent State's defense swarmed all over the RedHawks (18-11) in the second half, limiting them to 30 points on 11-of-29 shooting.
Senior Juby Johnson had 20 points and Chet Mason added 10 for Miami, which made 7-of-30 3-pointers.
After Johnson's 3-pointer brought Miami within 42-39, the Golden Flashes decided enough was enough, turning up the defensive pressure and launching a 10-0 run to take control.
Edwards scored six points during the breakaway - one on a sweet baseline move and jump hook - as Kent State pulled away for good.
Tempers flared briefly when Golden Flashes guard Eric Haut hit Miami's Tim Schenke in the head as he was trying to give Edwards a high five. There was a little pushing and shoving.
Later, Haut and Johnson exchanged a few harsh words after a foul underneath and were warned by the referees to cool it.
After the final horn, Johnson dropped to the court in tears and didn't shake Haut's hand as the teams left the floor.
Haynes, who scored a career-high 26 points in a quarterfinal win over Bowling Green, made three 3-pointers as Kent State controlled the tempo in the first half and built a 21-11 lead - when the pace suddenly slowed to Miami's speed.
And when Edwards had to sit after picking up his second foul with 6:09 left, the RedHawks closed the half with a 13-5 run to tie it 26-all.
Johnson buried a pair of 3-pointers in the burst, getting fouled on the second and completing a 4-point play.
