Kent State University
5-2
Youngstown State
3-4
Kent State Completes A Perfect Road Trip With An 85-78 Overtime Win At Youngstown State
11/28/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
YOUNGSTOWN – Chris Evans scored 24 and Randal Holt hit several clutch baskets on his way to a 21-point night as Kent State held off Youngstown State 85-78 in overtime at the Beeghly Center on Wednesday.
The win put the finishing touches on a perfect 2-0 road trip that was the first venture away from home for seven players on the young Golden Flashes roster.
"This was a big win for us on the road," said Kent State coach Rob Senderoff. "We had contributions from every guy who stepped on the floor. It's not easy to win on the road, so this is one our guys should be very proud to get.
"We are young, but I think our guys are starting to understand that as long as they play together and put winning above everything else, we have a chance to do some very good things this season."
While every Kent State player who saw the floor had a hand in the win, the team's senior duo paved the way to victory. Evans finished with a double-double, adding 10 rebounds in his 39 minutes. Holt, meanwhile, hit a string of clutch shots in the second half and overtime. No shot was bigger than his NBA three with 3:18 to play in extra session to put the Golden Flashes ahead for good.
"Those two seniors have been great all year," said Senderoff. "They've led the way and everyone else has followed. Their leadership has just been fantastic, as has their play."
Holt shot just 7-for-17 from the field, but converted 5-of-9 from three-point range. He was ready and willing to take the tough shots when the game was up for grabs.
"I've ways said that if you don't believe your are going to make the shot, you won't make it," said Holt. "I believe … We knew this was going to be a tough game. We knew Youngstown State was a great offensive team with a lot of scorers. So we tried to come in and grind one out."
Kendrick Perry led Youngstown State with 26 points. Point guard Blake Allen added 12. Kent State held the Penguins dangerous backcourt duo to a combined 37-percent from the field (12-for-32). Damian Eargle finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds inside for Youngstown State.
Melvin Tabb gave Kent State its own lift under the basket during a 15-point, seven-rebound night in 24 minutes off of the Kent State bench. The 6-foot-9 post converted 6-of-9 from the field and made all of his three free throws.
After trailing 36-34 at the half, Kent State took an eight point lead early in the second half with an 11-3 run that ended with one of Holt's long threes. The Penguins battled back to push the game into overtime at 68-68.
Following road wins at Nebraska and Youngstown State, the Golden Flashes will return home with a 5-2 record when they face Princeton at 7 p.m. on Saturday.
POSTGAME RANDAL HOLT
POSTGAME NOTES
Team Notes:
• Third overtime game this season for Kent State (2-1)
• Kent State has had more second chance points in all six games this year. Held a 15-9 advantage tonight
• Kent State had a combnined 33-16 advantage in points off turnovers and second chance points
Individual Notes:
• Randal Holt (21 points) is the 29th player in school history to score 1,000 career points. Holt is currently tied for 25th all-time at KSU with 1,015 points
• Career high 24 points and second double-double this season (third career) for Chris Evans (24 points, 10 rebounds)
• Kent State improves to 5-0 this season when Chris Evans leads the team in rebounding
• Kent State career high 15 points for Melvin Tabb. Tabb entered the game with 25 points on the season
• Kellon Thomas has 7 assists and 0 turnovers the last three games as a starter while averaging 29.7 minutes a game
