Kent State University
Loyola University Chicago
Men's Basketball Hosts Loyola Chicago Saturday to Bring Homestand to a Close
11/28/2014 4:56:00 PM | Men's Basketball
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KENT, Ohio - Kent State (4-1) hosts Loyola Chicago Saturday night at the M.A.C. Center to conclude a five-game homestand. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
The Golden Flashes fell from the ranks of the unbeaten last Sunday with a loss to Yale in a game that decided the champion of the inaugural Men Against Breast Cancer Classic. The Bulldogs were able to make a few more plays down the stretch to come out on top, 66-59. After leading by as many as 13 in the first half, the Flashes quickly saw their lead evaporate in the opening minutes of the second half, which featured 7 tied and 13 lead changes.
Redshirt sophomore Jimmy Hall and redshirt senior Derek Jackson were named to the all-tournament team at the end of the weekend. Hall, who poured in a career-high 22 points vs. Yale, averaged 16.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game over the three games. Jackson added 12.7 points on 14-of-22 (63.6 percent) shooting while doing a terrific job of defending the opponent's top perimeter player throughout the weekend.
Three Kent State players average 11 or more points per game this season. Hall leads the way with 16.0 points per game and also leads the team in rebounding (7.2 rpg), blocked shots (6) and field goal percentage (.600). Senior Kris Brewer (12.0 ppg) and Jackson (11.2 ppg) give the Flashes balanced scoring on the perimeter. Brewer leads the team in assists (3.4 apg).
Bench production has been a key to the Flashes' early-season success with reserves contributing 22.6 points per contest. Senior Devareaux Manley has knocked down 13 three-point field goals on the year and leads all bench players with 9.8 points per game. Juniors Kellon Thomas (5.2 ppg) and Chris Ortiz (4.0 ppg) have all provided good performances off the bench.
Loyola Chicago (3-1) is coming off a 71-57 victory at Texas-San Antonio on Tuesday evening. The Ramblers are led by guard Milton Doyle, who averages 18.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.0 steals per game. Forward Christian Thomas adds 12.8 points per game. Rebounding ha been an issue early in the season, as opponents are outrebounding Loyola Chicago by an average of 8.5 rebounds per game.
Quick Flashes
• Kent State is outscoring opponents by an average score of 33.4-27.8 in the second half.
• The Golden Flashes have held a 113-54 advantage in bench scoring so far this season.
• Opponents are shooting just 22.7 percent from the three-point line this season, which ranks the Golden Flashes 15th nationally in three-point field goal defense.
• Redshirt senior Derek Jackson enters the weekend with 999 career points, including two seasons at Central Michigan.
• 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 owns a 2-3 record all-time vs. Loyola Chicago.
• The Golden Flashes picked up a 70-63 win at Loyola in the most recent meeting on Feb. 23, 2013. The game was part of the final ESPN BracketBuster.
• Kent State has split the two previous matchups at the M.A.C. Center. The Ramblers won, 96-55, in the first ever meeting on Jan. 19, 1962. The Flashes earned a 90-73 victory in Kent on Nov. 25, 1995.
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 travel to Kennesaw State for the first of two straight road games on Saturday, Dec. 6.
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.
