Jan. 29, 2005

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TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) - Keith Triplett and Kashif Payne hit two free throws apiece in the final 47 seconds to help Toledo overcome an 11-point first-half deficit and hold off Kent State 73-70 on Saturday.

Florentino Valencia scored 14 points, Triplett had 12 and Payne 10 for the Rockets (8-9, 4-4 Mid-American Conference).

Kent State (13-7, 5-4), which led 40-34 at the half, was led by Armon Gates' 18 points. Kevin Warzynski added 16 and Jason Edwin had 14.

Toledo opened the second half with a 20-7 run to build a 54-47 lead.

A Gates 3-pointer with 2:16 left cut the Rockets' advantage to 67-64 only to have Justin Ingram hit a field goal to push the lead back to five. Gates hit another 3-pointer before Triplett hit two free throws with 47 seconds left. Gates then made another 3 with 33 seconds remaining to cut the lead to 71-70.

Payne was fouled with 30 seconds left and hit both foul shots. Gates then missed two 3-pointers in the final seconds.

Gates hit 6-of-11 3-pointers for the Golden Flashes, who were 12-of-25 behind the arc.