Kent State Fends Off Saint Peter's For 67-58 Win In Utah
12/20/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Box Score (.PDF)
Golden Flashes improve to 4-0 away from home for the first time since 1936-37
LOGAN, Utah – The D has certainly been the key for the Golden Flashes this season. Behind another solid defensive effort Kent State (8-1) won its sixth straight game with a 67-58 victory over Saint Peter's (2-8) on the first night of play in Utah at the Athletes in Action Classic sponsored by Gossner Foods.
The win improves the Golden Flashes to 4-0 away from home this year which gives the team the best start away from home in 75 years. The 1936-37 team was the last to win its first four games away from home.
Senior forward Justin Greene (Brooklyn, N.Y.) produced the first double-double of the season by the Golden Flashes with a team high 13 points and 10 rebounds. Junior guard Randal Holt (Cleveland, Ohio) added 12 points and junior forward Patrick Jackson (Brooklyn, N.Y.) led the team with 11 rebounds including a key put-back dunk with one minute remaining that gave Kent State a decisive four-point cushion.
In a closely contested game that featured seven different lead changes in the second half alone, the Golden Flashes fended off an off shooting night by making clutch plays down the stretch.
Trailing 58-57 with just over two minutes remaining senior guard Michael Porrini (Massillon, Ohio) delivered once again hitting a go-ahead three-pointer from the right wing. Kent State would get the ball back after forcing one of the 18 Saint Peter's turnovers with a shot clock violation on the other end. Porrini drove the lane, but when his lay-up was off the mark, Jackson was there with a one-handed put-back dunk for a 62-58 Golden Flashes lead with only one minute to play.
Porrini, who is nursing a sore right toe and was questionable at the start of the game, came up with a steal on the Peacocks ensuing possession allowing senior guard Carlton Guyton (Chicago, Ill.) to seal the game at the foul line with four straight free throws in the final minute.
"It certainly wasn't one of our finest efforts of the year, but at the end when we needed to make some plays and we have done it many times before, we had guys step up and make plays when we needed them," said Kent State Head Coach Rob Senderoff. "Saint Peter's played well for a large part of the game and we were fortunate to come away with a win."
Returning to action for the first time since a Dec. 10 win at Western Carolina, the Golden Flashes appeared to be out of sync in the first half falling behind by as many as 10 (22-12) at the 7:20 mark. Kent State cut the deficit to seven on a three-point play by Holt before Porrini first entered the game at the 6:59 mark. Upon Porrini's arrival the Golden Flashes forced a turnover then he fed junior Chris Evans (Chesapeake, Va.) for a dunk. He then checked back out with 3:54 left in the half but only after sparking a 14-1 run gave Kent State a 26-23 lead.
"It made a huge difference when Mike (Porrini) came into the game," said Senderoff. "His energy and toughness are key and just seeing him out there helped our guys He is an emotional leader for us and just having him out there on the court certainly gave our team a lift."
Saint Peter's would answer with Porrini back resting on the bench using an 11-5 spurt in the final four minutes to grab a 34-31 advantage at half time.
The second half would remain close with neither team leading by more than four points until the final minute.
Kent State controlled the glass for a third straight game grabbing a season best 48 rebounds compared to 32 for Saint Peter's. The Golden Flashes now have a +12 rebounding margin in the last three games. It was also the fourth consecutive game in which the team has held the opposition to under 60 points.
"I really proud and happy for Patrick (Jackson) with how he played and he made some huge plays coming down the stretch," said Senderoff. "Rebounding is probably what allowed us to stay in the game we had 25 offensive rebounds and Patrick along with Justin (Greene) were a big part of that."
The Golden Flashes face Texas-Arlington tomorrow night at 5:30 pm (Mountain Time) and host Utah State on Thursday at 8:05 pm (Mountain Time).
