Kent State University
7-1
Youngstown State University
6-2
Perfect homestand continues with 83-79 win over YSU
11/27/2013 9:39:00 PM | Men's Basketball
KENT, Ohio – Five Kent State players scored in double figures as the Golden Flashes held off Youngstown State for an 83-79 win to continue a perfect homestand on Wednesday night at the M.A.C. Center.
Derek Jackson scored 15 points, Kris Brewer added 14, and the two starting guards combined for three free throws in the final 10 seconds to clinch the Flashes' fifth consecutive victory at home.
"We got a lot of contributions again from several different players," said Rob Senderoff, whose team improved to 7-1. "I'm really happy with this win because Youngstown State is a very good team that is going to make some noise in the Horizon League. Kamren Belin was outstanding for them tonight."
Belin was 14-for-15 from the foul line and 4-of-10 from three-point range on his way to a game-high 32 points. He combined with preseason Horizon League player of the year Kendrick Perry (15 points) to lead a 14-2 run in the opening minutes to tie the game at 44-44 after Kent State took a 42-30 lead into the break.
For the second game in a row, K.K. Simmons came off of the bench to slow an opponent's run, drilling three three-pointers midway through the second half as the Flashes re-opened a nine-point lead. Simmons finished with 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting from the field and a perfect 4-for-4 from beyond the three-point arc.
Mark Henniger continued his run of fine play, scoring 11 points and grabbing seven rebounds after earning last week's Mid-American Conference East Division player of the week award. At the other forward spot, Darren Goodson added 10 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals and Chris Ortiz made a big contribution off of the bench with seven points and four rebounds in just 11 minutes.
Kent State dominated the glass, out-rebounding Youngstown State 40-29. The Flashes were out-scored 26-22 in the paint, but turned the game around in the second half when they turned their focus towards attacking the basket.
The homestand continues for Kent State on Sunday when Kennesaw State visits the M.A.C. Center for a 2 p.m. tip. All Children 12 and under will get in free when they attend with an adult paying for a full-price ticket. The Flashes close their run of seven straight games at home when Bucknell visits on Wednesday, Dec. 4.
