Kent State University
Eastern Michigan University
First-Place Flashes Return to M.A.C. Center Tuesday to Host Eagles
1/25/2016 12:45:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Game Notes Video Live Stats Audio
Kent State (14-5, 5-1 MAC) brings a four-game win streak into the first of two meetings this season with Mid-American Conference West Division foe Eastern Michigan on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. at the M.A.C. Center. The Golden Flashes were one of only three MAC teams to win both games a week ago to retain sole possession of first place in the MAC East and keep pace with Northern Illinois for first in the overall standings.
Both teams are coming off games that came down to the final play of the game. The Flashes came up with a big defensive play to leave the Stroh Center with a victory, while the Eagles allowed a three-point shot with 0.7 remaining in double-overtime that extended their losing streak to three games.
A terrific defensive performance was capped by Galal Cancer staying close to Bowling Green Zack Denny and not allowing the sharpshooter to get off a final shot in Kent State's 62-59 victory at the Stroh Center on Saturday. The Flashes stifled the Falcons' offense and allowed their host to shoot just 20-percent (6-of-30) from the field in taking a 30-19 lead into the locker room at halftime. Bowling Green fought back to tie the game at 51-51 with 5:52 remaining, but Kent State answered with an 8-1 run to lead by seven with just 1:28 on the clock. However, Kent State got just one defensive stop and converted just one of four free throw attempts in the final 30 seconds to allow the Falcons to have one final chance at sending the game into overtime with 0.9 seconds remaining. Jimmy Hall was dominant in the post, scoring 26 points and grabbing 16 rebounds to match his career-high. Xavier Pollard scored 12 points and Khaliq Spicer added 7 points and 9 rebounds.
The frontcourt of Jimmy Hall (15.8 ppg, 7.2 rpg), Khaliq Spicer (6.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg) and Chris Ortiz (7.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg) has helped Kent State control play around the basket. The Flashes own a +4.1 rebounding advantage while outscoring opponents 35.4-26.5 in the paint and 12.2-8.8 on second chance opportunities.
The Golden Flashes' backcourt is led by Xavier Pollard, who is averaging 13.2 points and a team-best 2.9 assists per game. Kellon Thomas has played well in his return to the court after being sidelined for all but eight games during the 2014-15 season and is averaging a career-high 12.7 points per game. Jaylin Walker (7.8 ppg) eclipsed the 100-point mark vs. Buffalo to become the first Kent State freshman to hit the century mark since Eric Gaines during the 2010-11 season. In the Flashes' game against #18 SMU on December 22, Walker turned in the first 20-point performance by a freshman since all-time leading scorer Trevor Huffman dropped 21 against Miami on January 20, 1999.
Scouting Eastern Michigan
Fifth-year head coach Rob Murphy's teams have been known for playing tough 2-3 zone defense, but this year's group is more offensive-minded. The Eagles lead the MAC at 79.3 points per game, which is the most they have averaged since the 1997-98 team that featured two future NBA players in Earl Boykins and Derrick Dials. Despite allowing opponents to score nearly 10 more points per game (73.6) than a season ago, the Eagles average 10.6 steals per game, which ranks second in the country.
Center James Thompson IV is enjoying quite an impressive freshman season, leading the MAC and ranking in the top 10 nationally in rebounding (11.1 rpg), field goal percentage (.704) and double-doubles (11). Thompson IV adds 15.6 points and 1.6 blocked shots per game. Preseason All-MAC guard Raven Lee adds 15.0 points per game. Both Thompson IV and Lee have turned in 32-point performances this season, which is one off the MAC season-high.
Junior college transfers Willie Mangum IV (13.3 ppg) and Ty Toney (11.5 ppg) join Lee to form a talented backcourt. Brandon Nazione contributes 9.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, while Tim Bond provides versatility with averages of 7.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and a MAC-leading 1.8 steals per game.
Series History
• Kent State owns a 40-31 record all-time vs. Eastern Michigan.
• The series dates back to the 1949-50 season and an 83-56 Kent State win at home on Feb. 18, 1950.
• The Golden Flashes had won 17 straight games prior to last season's loss in Ypsilanti, the longest winning streak over any opponent in Kent State history.
• Kent State owns a 27-8 record in home games and has beaten EMU in 10 straight matchups at the M.A.C. Center.
• The Flashes have won by at least 10 in four of the Eagles' past five visits with an average margin of victory of 17.8 in those games.
• Kent State is 2-1 all-time when the teams have played an overtime period.
FLASHback to Last Meeting
• Kent State turned in a stellar defensive performance over the final 20 minutes to overcome a 10-point halftime deficit and defeat Eastern Michigan, 65-59, at the M.A.C. Center on January 14, 2015.
• The Golden came away with points on their first four possessions of the game to lead 7-5, but the Eagles scored 10 straight points over the next five minutes.
• The run reached 26-8 as EMU took a 16-point lead at the 6:49 mark of the first half.
• The Flashes gradually cut into the deficit and finally took the lead on a Derek Jackson three-point field goal with 15:23 to play.
• Kent State's lead grew to nine after opening the second half on a 24-5 run.
• After EMU cut it to one with under a minute to play, Jackson buried a three-point shot near the end of the shot clock and then drew an offensive foul to get the ball back.
• The Flashes closed the game out by making 5 of 6 free throw attempts.
• Kent State held EMU to 6-for-25 shooting from the field (24.0%) in the second half.
• Chris Ortiz scored a career-high 19 points on 6-for-8 shooting.
• Jackson provided 14 points off the bench and Jimmy Hall nearly notched a double-double with 13 points and 9 rebounds.
• Mike Talley led EMU with 16 points, 4 assists and 4 steals.
• Karrington Ward added 12 points, 8 rebounds and 2 blocked shots, but was held scoreless in the second half despite playing all 20 minutes.
• Leading scorer Raven Lee scored just four points on 2-for-12 shooting after coming into the game averaging 14.8 ppg.
Radio
Ty Linder and David Carducci will bring you the action on the Golden Flashes iHeartRadio channel and 640 WHLO.
Next Up For Kent State
The Golden Flashes will go back on the road for a MAC East matchup vs. Ohio that will air nationally on ESPNU Friday at 9 p.m. and then head to Central Michigan next Tuesday (February 2).
