Kent State University
19-11, 10-7MAC
Bowling Green
14-16, 5-12MAC
Flashes celebrate Senior Night with 70-54 win over BGSU
3/1/2016 9:18:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Final Stats (pdf)
KENT, Ohio – Kent State celebrated Senior Night at the M.A.C. Center with a 70-54 win over Bowling Green on Tuesday night as it jockeyed for position in the upcoming Mid-American Conference Tournament.
The Golden Flashes' win combined with Miami's win over Buffalo, Central Michigan's victory at Ball State, and Akron's win over Ohio helped Kent State vault back into contention for a first-round bye heading into Friday's regular-season finale at Akron.
"Our guys wanted to win for our seniors, Khaliq Spicer, Chris Ortiz, Galal Cancer and Xavier Pollard," said Kent State head coach Rob Senderoff, whose Flashes improved to 19-11 overall and 10-7 in MAC games. "We played for them tonight, and those seniors also made some big plays to get this win."
Ortiz finished with 12 rebounds to go with four points in a turnover-free 33 minutes. Spicer was limited to 16 minutes due to some early foul trouble, but he blocked two shots and saved a possession leaping into the stands in the second half as Kent State extended a 33-27 halftime lead.Â
Cancer played a big role in Kent State putting the Falcons away in the final 20 minutes, scoring 15 of his 18 points after the break. While the Flashes shot just 5-of-20 from the arc as a team, Cancer connected on 3-of-5 from three-point range.
Despite missing the last month with a foot injury, Pollard was back in the starting lineup on Tuesday night. He left to a standing ovation after intentionally fouling to stop the clock three seconds after the opening tip.
Jimmy Hall led the way for Kent State, shooting 10-for-14 from the field and just missing a double-double on a 22-point, nine-rebound evening.
Kellon Thomas added 10 points while dishing out six assists to match his career-high without a turnover in 33 minutes running the point.
Kent State held Bowling Green to just 37-percent shooting (21-for-56) while also winning the rebounding battle, 39-29.
Spencer Parker came off the bench to lead the Falcons with 15 points. Wes Alcegaire added 14 points for BGSU (14-16, 5-12)
POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE
