Kent State University
Princeton University
Men’s Basketball Brings in New Year with Trip to Princeton
12/30/2013 4:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
It will be a battle of two of nation's top mid-major programs when Kent State (9-3) takes on Princeton (9-2) with a noon tip-off at Jadwin Gymnasium on New Year's Eve. Both teams will try to avoid their first losing streak of the season entering the start of conference play next week.
Head coach Rob Senderoff hopes to get his back on track following a 78-70 home loss to Cleveland State on Saturday night. While the Flashes had their best offensive game of the month, their defense struggled to stop the Vikings throughout the night. Cleveland State shot better than 60-percent in the second half to hold off a Kent State comeback.
Point guard Kris Brewer leads three Flashes in double-figures at 11.8 ppg and had a season-best five assists against the Vikings. Brewer has been at his best away from the M.A.C. Center, averaging 18.7 ppg and shooting 55-percent from the field in road games. Guard Derek Jackson is coming off one of his best overall performances of the season against his hometown team. Jackson matched his season-high with 18 points while grabbing five boards and recording three steals.
Seniors Darren Goodson and Mark Henniger lead Kent State's frontcourt. Goodson averages 10.8 ppg and a team-best 2.9 apg, while Henniger has career-best averages of 9.2 pph, 5.3 rpg and 1.0 bpg, while shooting 67-percent from the field and 94-percent from the foul line.
Princeton is coming off a 93-79 loss vs. Pacific on a neutral court at the South Point Holiday Hoops Classic in Las Vegas. Guard T.J. Bray, who has missed four games on the season, is averaging 19.8 ppg and 8.5 apg over the past four games for the Tigers. Three other players are averaging double-figures and three more average at least 8.0 ppg. Princeton ranks 4th in the nation in 3-point shooting (10.7 per game) and makes nearly 40-percent of its attempts.
Quick Flashes
• In its first three games this month, Kent State held opponents to 57 ppg on 38-percent shooting while forcing more than 16 turnovers per game.
• The Flashes began the season 9-2 for the first time since the 2007-08 season, which ended with KSU's last NCAA Tournament appearance.
• Despite just one player among the MAC's top 20 scorers, KSU ranks second in scoring as a team (75.6 ppg).
• The Flashes are getting huge bench contributions and have received 17 or more points from their reserves in each game.
• KSU ranks 66th nationally in free throw shooting (.728) and has four players shooting 80-percent or better from the charity stripe.
• The Flashes committed a season-low six turnovers vs. Bucknell and average the 36th-fewest per game in the nation.
Series History
• This is just the second meeting all-time between the schools.
• A season ago, the Tigers visited the M.A.C. Center and came away with a 62-50 victory.
• This was the fewest points scored by a Kent State team since being held to 41 points by Cleveland State on Dec. 23, 2008.
• The Golden Flashes are 5-2 all-time against schools from the Ivy League.
Radio/Video
Ty Linder will bring you the action on 640 AM WHLO and the Golden Flashes iHeartRadio channel. A live video stream will also be available through the Ivy League Digital Network at a cost of $9.95.
Next Up For Kent State
The Golden Flashes hosts Ohio in their Mid-American Conference opener on Wednesday, January 8 at 7 p.m. at the M.A.C. Center. Fans can purchase tickets over the phone by calling 330-672-2244, in person by coming to the M.A.C. Center ticket office Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., or online by clicking the banner below.
