Kent State University
Yale University
Men Against Breast Cancer Classic Title on the Line in Matchup with Yale
11/23/2014 1:55:00 PM | Men's Basketball
2014 Men Against Breast Cancer Classic Central
Game Notes Video Live Stats Golden Flashes Radio
KENT, Ohio - Kent State looks for its first 5-0 start since the 2002-03 season as it plays Yale in the final game of the inaugural 2014 Men Against Breast Cancer Classic Sunday afternoon at the M.A.C. Center. The winner of the game will be crowned as the tournament champion.
The Golden Flashes continued to shoot the ball well from beyond the arc Saturday on the way to a 78-60 win over Illinois-Chicago. The Flashes shot 11-for-22 from the three-point line and recorded their second wire-to-wire victory in as many nights. Derek Jackson (17), Devareaux Manley (15), Kris Brewer (14) and Jimmy Hall (10) all scored in double-figures for the second game in a row. Khaliq Spicer pulled down 10 rebounds to help the Flashes own a 40-30 edge on the boards. Kellon Thomas handed out a career-high 5 assists off the bench.
Hall's play inside over the first week of the season has provided a huge boost for the Flashes, as he is averaging 14.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. Brewer (12.8 ppg), Jackson (11.8 ppg) and Manley (11.0 ppg) have provided a scoring punch on the perimeter. The trio has benefitted from Hall's low post presence and is shooting 49.1-percent from the three-point line
While the three-ball continues to be a big part of the Kent State offense, an emphasis on defending the shot has paid dividends as well. Opponents have made just 9 three-pointers and are shooting just 17-percent this season.
Yale (3-1), which has won three straight games, also features a balanced scoring attack. All-Ivy League First Teamer Justin Sears leads the Bulldogs with 15.0 ppg and 8.8 rpg. Javier Duren (140 ppg) and Jack Montague (13.0 pgg), who has made 15 of 20 three-point attempts this season, also average double-digits.
Quick Flashes
• Kent State is outscoring opponents by an average score of 34.0-26.0 in the second half.
• The Golden Flashes have held a 98-34 advantage in bench scoring so far this season.
• The Golden Flashes return the nation's 35th highest-scoring backcourt from last season, as Kris Brewer, Derek Jackson, Devareaux Manley and Kellon Thomas combined for 38.7 ppg.
• Senior guard Kris Brewer was selected by a MAC Media Panel to the five-player Preseason All-MAC East Team. Brewer was an All-MAC honorable mention selection last season.
• Redshirt sophomore Jimmy Hall, a transfer from Hofstra, was named Preseason MAC Newcomer of the Year by Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook.
Series History
• Kent State is 3-0 all-time vs. Yale.
• The Golden Flashes ran away with a 71-45 victory in the last matchup in New Haven, Conn. on Dec. 30, 1993. 2012 Olympian Nate Reinking Kent State with a game-high 23 points.
• The previous season, Kent State was a 67-59 victor in the only other time the teams have played in Kent.
• The first meeting between the schools took place on Dec. 29, 1965. The Flashes came away with a narrow 77-75 victory in that contest.
TV / Radio
Ty Linder (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 will conclude a five-game homestand at the M.A.C Center against Loyola Chicago on Saturday, Nov. 29. Tip-off will be at approximately 7 p.m.
Tickets On Sale
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.
