Kent State University
2-0
Malone University
0-3
GOLDENFLASHESTV: Hall's double-double helps KSU escape scare from Malone
11/18/2014 10:26:00 PM | Men's Basketball
KENT, Ohio – An 18-point, 16-rebound performance by Jimmy Hall in his first game at the M.A.C. Center helped Kent State escape with a 62-52 win over Malone in Tuesday night's home opener.
The Golden Flashes improved to 2-0 on the new season, taking advantage of a big second half from Hall for the second consecutive game. The redshirt sophomore power forward put together a double-double in the second 20 minutes alone. After Kent State fell behind 30-22 at halftime, Hall contributed 12 points, 11 rebounds and all four of his blocked shots after the break.
"Jimmy settled in and made several big plays in the second half," said Kent State head coach Rob Senderoff. "There was about an eight-minute stretch in the second half where we really started competing hard and were able to pull away. We were disappointed in the effort before that, but we'll learn from this game and get ready for a big weekend against Southern Illinois on Friday, Illinois-Chicago on Saturday and Yale on Sunday as we continue the Men Against Breast Cancer Classic."
Kent State managed to pull out a double-digit win on a night when it shot just 32 percent from the field (17-for-53) and 15.8 percent from the three-point arc (3-for-19). Take away Hall's 6-for-8 from the field and the Flashes hit just 24.4 percent of their shots.
While shots weren't falling for most of the game, Devareaux Manley still managed to drill two key three-pointers. His long-distance three with four seconds to play cut Malone's lead to inside double-digits just before halftime. Manley drilled another three with 6:26 to play to finally pull Kent State back into a tie at 46-46.
Kent State's defense held the Pioneers to just six points the rest of the way as the Flashes closed the game out from the foul line. For the game, Kent State made 25-of-39 free throws compared to just 8-of-9 by Malone.
Malone was led by freshman guard Ben Haraway, who scored 16 points. Ten of that total came in the first half when Haraway hit 4-of-7 from the field, including 2-of-3 from the arc. The Pioneers converted 52 percent of their shots in the first half and just 26.9 percent the rest of the way.
Junior center Neil Gingerich added 15 points before fouling out after 28 minutes for Malone.
For Kent State, Derek Jackson scored nine points, Kris Brewer added eight and Manley and Kellon Thomas chipped in seven each.
The Flashes out-rebounded Malone 45-30. They dominated the offensive glass for 19 offensive rebounds leading to a 16-6 advantage in second-chance points. The Kent State bench also outscored Malone 20-10.
