Kent State University
13-5, 4-1MAC
University of Toledo
10-8, 2-3MAC
Seniors lead 67-60 win over MAC preseason favorite Toledo
1/21/2015 9:50:00 PM | Men's Basketball
KENT, Ohio – Kent State rode its senior backcourt and a stifling defensive effort to a 67-60 win over preseason Mid-American Conference preseason favorite Toledo on Wednesday night at the M.A.C. Center.
Seniors Devareaux Manley, Kris Brewer and Derek Jackson combined for 49 of their team's 67 points, and Jackson made life miserable for Toledo star Julius Brown on the defensive end as the Golden Flashes improved to 13-5 overall and 4-1 in MAC play.
"We are trying to go out the right way, playing our hardest on every possession for 40 minutes," said Manley, who led all scorers with 21 points. " We are trying to give our all and do whatever it takes to win."
On a night when Manley struggled from three-point range, missing his first six from beyond the arc, he jump started his offense by driving to the basket. His layup just before the first-half buzzer allowed the Flashes to take a 27-24 lead into the break.
Manley finally drilled two late threes as the Flashes turned a five-point deficit in the second half into an important two-possession lead near the three-minute mark. On both shots, Toledo had a defender right there to challenge.
"Those were huge shots Dev," said Kent State head coach Rob Senderoff. "This was a big win for us. Tonight we had to dig down deep led by our seniors. We made some toughness plays that got us this win."
Brewer added 18 points off the bench and Jackson finished with 10. But the biggest impact made by Jackson, Brewer and Manley came on defense.
"Toledo averages 75 points per game," said Senderoff. "You can't always look at shooting percentage. Sometimes that's a little misleading. They shot it at a high percentage (48.1 percent), but we turned them over 14 times and they only made three three-pointers."
Toledo came into the game ranked No. 22 in the nation in three-point field goal percentage at shooting 40 percent. On Wednesday, the Rockets made just 18 percent from beyond the arc (3-for-16).
Brown, who was shooting the three at a 47-percent clip, made just 1-of-6. The 15.9 per-game scorer, who put up 31 against Western Michigan on Saturday, was held scoreless at halftime and ended up with just nine points.
Khaliq Spicer added eight points and a team-high nine rebounds as Kent State won edged Toledo in the rebounding battle 34-32. Spicer also blocked two shots and recorded a steal and an assist in 27 minutes.
Despite struggling to score on a 2-for-9 night and fighting foul trouble, Jimmy Hall provided an impact for the Flashes with a team-high four assists from his power forward spot. He also added five rebounds on a six-point night.
Nathan Boothe and Jonathan Williams both scored 12 points to lead the Rockets, who fell to 10-8 overall and 2-3 in MAC play. Justin Drummond added 11 points and J.D. Weatherspoon chipped in 10.
"Our guys did a great job. I couldn't be prouder of their effort," said Senderoff. "Now we move on to the next one."
After finishing off a perfect three-game homestand, the Flashes go on the road to face Ball State at 2 p.m. on Saturday before returning home to play Central Michigan on Jan. 27.
POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE
