Kent State Advances In The NIT With 75-74 Win Over Tulsa

Golden Flashes earn first post season win since 2002

KENT, Ohio – Rodriquez Sherman's (Indianapolis, Ind./Ben Davis) left-handed runner in the paint with 19 seconds lifted Kent State (24-9) past Tulsa (23-12), 75-74, in the opening round of the National Invitation Tournament at the M.A.C. Center Wednesday night. Led by a balanced scoring attack that featured six players in double figures, the Golden Flashes earned their first post season win since defeating Pittsburgh in the 2002 NCAA Tournament 'Sweet 16'.

Senior Chris Singletary (Chicago, Ill./Florida Prep) led KSU with another all around performance recording 16 points, seven assists and six rebounds. A redshirt junior, Sherman added 15 points while senior Anthony Simpson (Rockford Ill./Highland CC) chipped in 13 points and eight rebounds.

After falling behind early, the Golden Flashes went on a 7-0 run to take a three-point lead, 10-7. Singletary led the charge with two points, two assists and a steal during the run. The teams would go back and forth before Tulsa went on an 8-0 run in just under three minutes to take a 23-17 lead. The Golden Hurricane would maintain the advantage and grab a 35-28 lead at the break.

Tulsa would continue to hold the advantage until halfway through the second half when senior guard Tyree Evans (Richmond, Va./Motlow CC [Tenn.]) sparked an 8-0 run by himself with two threes as Kent State took a 62-58 lead. Evans would finish the night with 10 points on 4-8 shooting.

"Tyree was great, he really got us going," said Kent State Head Coach Geno Ford. "We were in trouble when he got hot. The first three he made when it touched every part of the rim and after it went in he kind of smiled and relaxed. I think it got everyone on our team going."

After Tulsa tied the game, the two teams would go back-and-forth over the final 5:27 with neither team taking more than a one-point lead. The lead would change hands seven times before Sherman hit the game winner. The redshirt junior drove the lane and put up an off-balanced floater that found nothing but nylon over three defenders including one of the nation's leading shot blockers, Jerome Jordan, to win the game.

Tulsa would have one more shot to win the game, but Ben Uzoh's fadeaway jumper clanked off the iron as time expired.

Rounding out the double digit scorers for Kent State were freshman Randal Holt (Bedford, Ohio / Glenville), who total 11 points and sophomore Justin Greene (Brooklyn, N.Y./Lincoln) who added 10 points and seven rebounds. The Golden Flashes shot 43.3 percent for the game, including a 53.3 percent showing in the second half.

Jordan paced Tulsa with 23 points and 12 rebounds, while Justin Hurtt had 22 points and 10 rebounds in the loss. The Golden Hurricane shot 44.1 percent for the game.

With the win, KSU advances to face Illinois. The game will be on Monday night at 8:00 pm (Eastern) at Illinois and televised on ESPNU.

NOTES:

Third NIT win in program history for KSU. KSU improves to 3-7 all-time in the NIT
With 16 points Chris Singletary moved into 13th place on the Kent State career scoring list passing Antonio Gates (1,216; 2001-03). Singletary now has 1,227 career points
Second time this season KSU had six players reach double figures (Jan. 20, 2010 vs Buffalo)
Tulsa entered the game with a 17-0 record when leading at half time
Its the 16th time this season and the 10th time in the last 16 games that KSU has shot better than 50 percent in the second half.
All five of Randal Holt's double digit scoring games have come at home this season. KSU is 5-0 during those games
First post season win by Kent State on March 17th. The Golden Flashes had previously been 0-4 on the date.
The four turnovers equal a season low for KSU (Feb. 27 vs Miami). KSU has had just eight turnovers combined in its last two home games.
Ninth straight home win for KSU.

Kent State Advances In The NIT With 75-74 Win Over Tulsa

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