Kent State University
Southern Illinois University
Golden Flahes to Clash with Salukis in Men Against Breast Cancer Classic Opener
11/20/2014 5:11:00 PM | Men's Basketball
2014 Men Against Breast Cancer Classic Central
Game Notes Video Live Stats Golden Flashes Radio
KENT, Ohio - Kent State (2-0) gets set for the inaugural 2014 Men Against Breast Cancer Classic, which it hosts at the M.A.C. Center this weekend. The Golden Flashes open with Southern Illinois (1-1) on Friday in a game that will tip-off 30 minutes after the conclusion of the Illinois-Chicago-Yale contest slated for 5 p.m.
The Golden Flashes needed a 27-10 run over the final 12 minutes of play for a come-from-behind win over NCAA Division II Malone, 62-52, in Tuesday night's home opener. To overcome a 17-for-53 (32.1 percent) shooting performance that included 3-for-19 (15.8 percent) from the three-point arc, Kent State held a 19-5 advantage on the offensive glass and attempted 30 more free throws than its opponent.
The Pioneers led by as many as 13 points with 3:43 remaining in the first half, but a three-pointer by senior Devareaux Manley capped a 7-2 run to bring the Flashes to within eight at the break. Kent State picked up its defensive intensity in the second half and held Malone to just 7-of-26 (26.9 percent) shooting. Another Manley three-pointer tied the game at the 6:57 mark, and senior Kris Brewer found redshirt sophomore Jimmy Hall for a layup on the next possession to give the Flashes the lead, 48-46, for good.
Hall led the Flashes in nearly every category with 18 points, 16 rebounds, 4 blocks and 3 assists and made several big plays down the stretch. Redshirt senior Derek Jackson had a tough night shooting the ball from the floor (2-for-9), but made all 4 free throw attempts to finish with nine points while adding a game-high four steals.
Hall has shown signs that he provide the interior production that Kent State was missing a season ago, as he has averaged 16.0 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game. Seniors Brewer (10.0 ppg), Manley (9.5 ppg) and Jackson (9.0 ppg) have provided a scoring punch on the perimeter.
Southern Illinois (1-1) defeated Tennessee State, 84-67, Tuesday night for its first win of the season. The Salukis received a career-high 32 points from guard Anthony Beane, who is averaging a team-best 23.0 points per game. Forward Sean O'Brien averages a double-double with 15.0 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. Guard Jalen Pendleton and forward Jordan Caroline both scored 11 points on Tuesday.
Series History
• Kent State is 0-2 all-time series vs. Southern Illinois.
• In the first ever meeting between the schools on the hardwood, the Golden Flashes dropped a 65-54 BracketBuster contest at the M.A.C. Center on Feb. 19, 2005.
• SIU also came away victorious in the rematch in Carbondale, Ill. the following season, defeating the Flashes, 58-51, on Dec. 10, 2005.
TV / Radio
Rob Polinsky (play-by-play) and Dave Carducci (color) will bring you the action on 640 AM WHLO and the Golden Flashes iHeartRadio channel.
Next Up For Kent State
The Golden Flashes continue play in the Men Against Breast Cancer Classic against Illinois-Chicago on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Season tickets are on sale and can be purchased by calling the Ticket Office at 330-672-2244 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Ticket packages begin at less than $10 per game for general admission seating. Individual game tickets begin as low as $12 and can be purchased by calling the Ticket Office or any time online at KentStateSports.com. By clicking on the Tickets tab at the top of the page and selecting men's basketball, you will be able to purchase tickets for any game.
