Kent State University
19-8 (10-4MAC)
Ohio University
9-16 (4-10MAC)
Manley leads Flashes to 64-51 win and a sweep of Ohio
2/21/2015 5:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
ATHENS, Ohio – Kent State secured just its ninth season sweep of Ohio University since 1951 and moved into first place all by itself in the Mid-American Conference's East Division with a 65-51 road victory over the Bobcats on Saturday at the Convocation Center.
Devareaux Manley scored 16 points to lead the Golden Flashes. The senior drilled 5-of-12 from beyond the arc to move into second place on Kent State's all-time three point list with 211, passing Trevor Huffman (210 from 1999-2002). Manley is now just one three-pointer shy of tying Randal Holt's single-season record of 89 set in the 2012-13 campaign.
Saturday also marked the return of sophomore star Jimmy Hall, who had missed five games since Jan. 30 due to mononucleosis. Hall finished with 9 points and 4 rebounds in 17 minutes of work off the bench.
Hall returns as the Golden Flashes (19-8, 10-4) continue on the stretch run of their chase of a MAC championship. Saturday's win combined with a Bowling Green loss at home to Buffalo gave Kent State a one-game lead over the rest of the field in the East Division and kept the Flashes in a tie for the league's best record.
The win over also featured more of the same defense that has helped to put Kent State in the driver's seat for a title. The Flashes held the Bobcats to just 35.3 percent shooting (18-for-51) and 16.7 percent from three-point range (2-for-17)
"This was a great defensive effort," said Kent State head coach Rob Senderoff. "Our guys played really hard and competed on the glass. We defended the three really well and had a number of guys step up and make plays when we needed them.
"Devareaux hit some huge shots for us as he has all year. Our guys did a good job of getting him open and finding him. And it was great to have Jimmy back. I think all of our guys were excited and I know he was happy to help us get this win."
The Flashes used a 13-2 run at the end of the first half to take a 36-25 lead into the break. The spurt was highlighted by three-pointers by Manley and Derek Jackson.
A Kris Brewer three in the second half helped the Flashes overcome an Ohio run that had cut the lead to just two points early in the second half. Brewer finished with 11 points and helped control the pace of the game in the final 20 minutes.
Kent State also found important performances in the paint from Khaliq Spicer and Chris Ortiz. Spicer finished with 9 points and 6 rebounds while Ortiz added 8 points and 7 rebounds. Their work on the offensive glass helped Kent State maintain a slim lead through most of the first half despite shooting below 30 percent from the field during that stretch.
The Flashes outscored the Bobcats 17-6 on second-chance points while winning the rebounding battle 39-33.
Kent State also enjoyed a 26-13 advantage off the bench.
Ohio was led by Antonio Campbell's 14-point, 10-rebound double-double. Stevie Taylor added 13 points and Maurice Ndour added 12.
Derek Jackson held Ohio's top scorer Javarez Willis 9 points below his season average. Willis scored 7 points on 2-for-11 shooting.
Kent State will go for another season sweep on Tuesday night at Miami University. The Flashes have swept both Ohio and Miami in the same season only twice. Those sweeps in 2002 and 2006 helped to catapult Kent State to MAC regular-season and tournament championships in both seasons.
