Kent State University
9-4
University of Texas-Pan American
5-9
Golden Flashes turn in strong performance in 74-54 win over Broncs
1/2/2015 9:13:00 PM | Men's Basketball
KENT, Ohio – Devareaux Manley scored 19 points despite suffering from flu-like symptoms and Jimmy Hall added 19 points and 10 rebounds as Kent State rolled to a 74-54 home win over Texas-Pan American in Friday night's finale of the non-conference season.
The Golden Flashes (9-4) open Mid-American Conference play on Wednesday when Bowling Green visits the M.A.C. Center.
"This was a good jump start into league play," said Kent State head coach Rob Senderoff. "I thought our guys played well and played hard with the exception of the last four or five minutes. Dev (Manley) wasn't feeling well, and I wasn't sure if he was even going to play tonight. Jimmy Hall and Khaliq Spicer did a great job rebounding the ball and challenging shots inside. And it was encouraging to see us step up and knock down some free throws."
A 57.4-percent team from the foul line coming into the night, Kent State converted 14-of-17 free throws. Hall was a perfect 5-of-5 from the stripe, while Spicer made 3-of-4 attempts. Both players have struggled at the line in the early part of the season.
"(Graduate assistant) Justin Greene gets on these guys about missing free throws and tells them they are leaving breakfast on the table," said Senderoff.
Manley, who did not participate in shootaround earlier in the day, missed his first shot, but got hot on his way to a 7-for-10 shooting performance that included 5-of-8 from three-point range in just 18 minutes of work.
Kent State took a 40-25 lead into halftime. The Broncs stayed in the game thanks in large part to the play of sophomore forward Janari Joesaar, who scored 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting in the first 20 minutes. After a hot start to the second half, Joesaar attempted just one shot the final 16 minutes while finishing with 27 points on 10-of-14 from the field.
Joesaar was the only Bronc to score in double figures as the rest of the team combined to shoot just 23-percent from the floor (9-of-38).
Kent State won the rebounding battle 36-27 behind Hall's 10 and another nine by Spicer, who added seven points, a blocked shot and two steals in an active 28 minutes. The Flashes' production from their starting backcourt included 10 points from Kris Brewer while Derek Jackson added nine points, three assists and four steals.
The Flashes took their largest lead of 27 points at 72-45 after a tip-in by Hall with 6:36 remaining in the game.
POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE
