Kent State University
Miami University (OH)
Flashes Continue Homestand Tuesday vs. RedHawks
1/12/2016 9:48:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Game Notes    Video       Live Stats        Audio
Kent State (10-5, 1-1 MAC) hosts Miami (6-9, 0-2 MAC) in the second contest of the current three-game homestand Tuesday night at the M.A.C. Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
The Golden Flashes are coming off their first home and conference loss of the season, 76-67, to Buffalo on Friday night. Kent State erased a 12-point deficit to tie the game at 34-34 heading into the locker room at halftime, but were unable to comeback from another double-digit deficit in the second half. Xavier Pollard scored 21 points to lead Kent State to a 32-15 edge in bench scoring. Jimmy Hall finished with 10 points and a team-high seven rebounds. The Flashes shot just 40.3-percent shooting from the field (25-for-62) and 14 percent from 3-point range (2-for-14), while allowing the Bulls to shoot 24-for-46 (52.2%) overall and 8-for-17 from the three-point arc (47.1%). Kent State did an excellent job of forcing 20 turnovers, but only managed 14 points off of those turnovers.
The frontcourt of Jimmy Hall (15.1 ppg, 6.7 rpg), Khaliq Spicer (6.9 ppg, 5.8 rpg) and Chris Ortiz (8.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg) has helped Kent State control play around the basket. The Flashes own a +4.1 rebounding advantage while outscoring opponents 36.4-26.0 in the paint and 12.1-9.2 on second chance opportunities.
The Golden Flashes' backcourt is led by Xavier Pollard, who is averaging 12.5 points and a team-best 3.1 assists per game off the bench. Kellon Thomas has played well in his return to the court after being sidelined for all but eight games during the 2014-15 season and is averaging a career-high 11.9 points per game. Jaylin Walker (7.6 ppg) eclipsed the 100-point mark vs. Buffalo t become the first Kent State freshman to hit the century mark since Eric Gaines during the 2010-11 season. In the Flashes' game against #18 SMU on December 22, Walker turned in the first 20-point performance by a freshman since all-time leading scorer Trevor Huffman dropped 21 against Miami on January 20, 1999. Deon Edwin has played terrific since being inserted into the starting lineup, averaging 8.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals over the last three games.
Scouting Miami
Miami has lost five straight with its last win coming over Jackson State on December 15. The RedHawks are seeking their first conference (0-2) and road (0-5) victory of the season. Miami is last in the MAC in several offensive categories, including scoring (66.3 ppg), field goal percentage (.414) and three-point field goals per game (5.1). The RedHawks apply good defensive pressure and rank 12th in the nation in turnovers forced per game (15.87) and 42nd in turnover margin (+2.9).
Preseason All-MAC point guard Eric Washington leads Miami in scoring (14.8 ppg) 3and ranks in the top 3 of the MAC in assists (4.5 apg), steals (1.6 spg) free throw percentage (84.3%) and free throws made (75). Backcourt mate Geovonie McKnight adds 12.7 points per game and is the only other RedHawk scoring in double-figures.
Quick Flashes
• Five Golden Flashes have scored at least 20 points in a game this season.
• Kent State has taken care of the ball and ranks 24th in the country in turnovers per game (10.7) and 67th in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.26).
• The Golden Flashes rank 108th in the country in defensive rebounding percentage (.716), 56th in offensive rebounding percentage (.342) and 85th in rebound margin (+4.1).
• Jaylin Walker posted career-highs with 20 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists vs. #18 SMU (Dec. 22) to become the first Kent State freshman with a 20-point performance since all-time leading scorer Trevor Huffman (21 vs. Miami, 1/20/99)
• The Golden Flashes outrebounded YSU, 53-34, on Saturday. The 53 rebounds are the most by a KSU team since Dec. 20, 2003 at Boston College.
• Senior Chris Ortiz was named MAC East Player of the Week on Monday after scoring 12 points and pulling down a career-high 16 rebounds.
Series History
• Kent State owns a 48-89 record all-time vs. Miami.
• The series dates back to the 1948-49 season when Kent State came away with a 70-55 victory in Kent.
• The Golden Flashes have won 21 of the last 34 matchups going back to 2000.
• Kent State is 29-36 all-time as the home team in the series and have won five of the last six meetings at the M.A.C. Center.Â
• Head coach Rob Senderoff is 5-4 vs. Miami, where he was a graduate assistant under legendary coach Charlie Coles from 1995-97.
• The Flashes and RedHawks have played an extra session on six occasions with the Flashes winning just two of those overtime periods.
FLASHback to Last Meeting
• Kent State watched a 19-point lead with 8:21 to play in the second half slip away as Miami battled back for an 86-81 overtime victory at Millett Hall on February 24, 2015.
• The RedHawks scored on their final 15 possessions of regulation to force the overtime period. They made all 12 of their field goal attempts, including three three-point field goals, and converted 5-of-7 free throw attempts over the final 7:31.
• After Chris Ortiz missed the second shot of the double-bonus with :06 in regulation, Miami pushed the ball up the floor and Geovonie McKnight beat the buzzer for the game-tying layup.
• Neither team scored a field goal in the overtime period until a jumper by Eric Washington put Miami ahead for good, 81-79, with :45 to play. Washington scored 7 point of his 24 points in the period
• Trailing 19-13 with 9:24 in the first half, Jimmy Hall scored 9 consecutive points to give Kent State the lead as part of what ended up as a 51-26 run over a 20-minute stretch of play.
• Hall finished with 24 points on 9-for-15 shooting and 5 rebounds before fouling out in just 29 minutes.
• Devareaux Manley set a new single-season three-point field goals record as part of a 4-for-7 performance from long range en route to 14 points. Kris Brewer also scored 14 for the Flashes.
• Chris Ortiz added 13 points and 11 rebounds for his first career double-double.
• Washington led Miami with 24 points. Will Sullivan (16), McKnight (14) and Willie Moore (12) also scored in double-digits for the RedHawks.
• Miami took advantage of frequent trips to the charity stripe and shot 33-for-44 (75.0%).
• The RedHawks held a 22-0 advantage in fast break points.
TV / Radio
Ty Linder and David Carducci will bring you the action on the Golden Flashes iHeartRadio channel and 640 WHLO.
Next Up For Kent State
The Golden Flashes conclude their three-game homestand against Ohio on Saturday, January 16 at 7 p.m.
