Kent State University
4-1
Western Carolina University
3-3
Big second half sparks 72-59 win over Western Carolina
11/21/2013 10:15:00 PM | Men's Basketball
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KENT, Ohio – Mark Henniger scored a career-high 17 points and pulled down 8 rebounds to help Kent State to a 72-59 win over Western Carolina in Thursday's Coaches vs. Cancer Classic battle at the M.A.C. Center.
The Flashes overcame a tough night shooting the ball to improve to 4-1 thanks in large part to their second-half effort plays. After taking a 27-22 lead into halftime, Kent State erupted for 45 points in the final 20 minutes.
Henniger, Devareaux Manley, Khaliq Spicer and Chris Ortiz all finished with eight rebounds as Kent State topped the Catamounts on the glass, 49-39. Turnovers also led to easy baskets, including steals and breakouts by Jackson and Henniger as the Flashes pulled away late.
"We weren't hitting from the perimeter, so we wanted to challenge Western Carolina by creating more turnovers, getting more rebounds, and then challenging Western Carolina more in transition," said Kent State head coach Rob Senderoff. "I thought we did a good job of that in the second half.
"Mark Henniger was great again tonight. I was very happy to see him build on another good game Sunday against Saint Peter's. I love when our guys have great games. But I want to see them do it two or three games in a row."
Kris Brewer added 12 points to the Kent State cause, including three on a prayer from just inside half court as the shot clock ran down with just 1:27 remaining in the game.
K.K. Simmons was also a key performer down the stretch as the Flashes closed out the win. He completed his first double-digit effort in a Kent State uniform as he scored 10 points and converted 8-of-8 from the foul line. Henniger was 9-for-9 from the stripe, helping Kent State make 24-of-30 free throws as a team.
Jackson finished with nine points, but he did his best work on the defensive end where he had three steals and held Western Carolina's Trey Sumler to just four points on 1-for-9 shooting. Sumler had averaged a team-best 16 points per game entering Thursday night.
Tawaski King led Western Carolina with 17 points and nine rebounds. Brandon Boggs added 12 points for the Catamounts, who dropped to 3-3.
The Golden Flashes (4-1) will take on USC Upstate on Friday night at the M.A.C. Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. USC Upstate was an 83-74 winner over Niagara in Thursday's first game of the Coaches Vs. Cancer Classic. Western Carolina will play Niagara at 5 p.m. on Friday.
