Kent State University
Ohio University
Men’s Basketball to Battle Ohio University on ESPNU Friday Night
1/29/2016 11:23:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Game Notes Video Live Stats Audio
Kent State (15-5, 6-1 MAC) will go for its second straight season sweep of Mid-American Conference East Division rival Ohio (12-7, 3-4 MAC) when it plays in front of a national television audience on ESPNU Friday night at 9 p.m. from the Convocation Center in Athens. The Golden Flashes have won five straight to move into sole possession of first place on the MAC, while the Bobcats are 9-1 at home this season.
After trailing by as much as 13 in Tuesday's game against Eastern Michigan, Kent State rallied to get within a point, 32-31, at halftime. The Flashes led most of the final 20 minutes, but the Eagles cut it to one on back-to-back three-pointers with 7:49 to play. It was all Kent State the rest of the way, as it ended the game on a 25-11 run for a comfortable 73-58 victory. Khaliq Spicer continued his strong play of late with 21 points, 13 rebounds and 5 blocked shots. Frontcourt mate Jimmy Hall added 13 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists in just 22 minutes due to foul trouble. Kellon Thomas and Chris Ortiz added 12 points each, while Xavier Pollard had a season-high 7 assists.
The frontcourt of Jimmy Hall (15.7 ppg, 7.2 rpg), Khaliq Spicer (7.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg) and Chris Ortiz (8.0 ppg, 5.9 rpg) has helped Kent State control play around the basket. The Flashes own a +4.5 rebounding advantage while outscoring opponents 35.2-26.3 in the paint and 12.5-9.1 on second chance opportunities.
The Golden Flashes' backcourt is led by Xavier Pollard, who is averaging 12.7 points and a team-best 3.1 assists per game. 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 12.7 points per game. Jaylin Walker (7.8 ppg) eclipsed the 100-point mark vs. Buffalo to 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.
Scouting Ohio
Ohio is coming off an 81-79 road win over Toledo on Tuesday night and looks to get back to .500 in MAC play. The Bobcats average 77.8 ppg and lead the MAC in field goal percentage (.470) and free throw percentage (.761).
Point guard Jaaron Simmons, who leads the MAC at 7.8 apg, tied the MAC record with 17 assists in Tuesday's win. Simmons is also second on the team in scoring at 14.6 ppg. Antonio Campbell averages a team-best 15.6 ppg and is second in the MAC at 1.79 bpg and 9.3 rpg. Kenny Kaminski (13.2 ppg), Treg Setty (10.1 ppg) and Jordan Dartis (9.8 ppg) round out a starting lineup that accounts for 79.1% of the Bobcats' scoring.
Series History
• Kent State owns a 48-92 record all-time vs. Ohio.
• The series dates back to the 1930-31 season and a 23-21 Ohio win in Kent.
• Kent State is 12-52 in Athens, but has defeated the Bobcats in four of its last six visits to the Convocation Center.
• Nine of the last 13 matchups have been determined by 7 points or fewer.
• Kent State is just 2-9 in games that have gone to overtime.
FLASHback to Last Meeting
• Kent State defeated Ohio, 89-82, at the M.A.C. Center on January 16, 2016.
• Ohio took its largest lead of the game, 22-13, at the 11:02 mark of the first half, but Kent State came back to take a 38-37 lead at halftime following a steal and two free throws by Chris Ortiz with :06 to play.
• Tied at 46-46, Jaylin Walker made a three-pointer to spark an 11-0 lead that gave the Golden Flashes the lead for good.
• The lead reached 16 (74-58) at the 6:02 mark before the Bobcats steadily climbed back into the game.
• Ohio got within 4 points twice in the final minute, but Kent State made 3-of-4 free throws and contested two three-point attempts to close out the victory.
• KSU guards Xavier Pollard (23 points) and Kellon Thomas (20 points) were able to get to the rim and finish throughout the game. Pollard added 3 steals on defense.
• Jimmy Hall notched his second double-double of the season with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
• Kent State led 30-16 in bench points, as Walker led the way with 16 points.
• Kenny Kaminski was sensational for Ohio, scoring 16 points in the first half. After adding 5 quick points in the second half, the Flashes put Galal Cancer on Kaminski, who went scoreless on 0-for-2 shooting over the final 18:00 of the game.
• Antonio Campbell also scored 21 points and added a team-high 9 rebounds for the Bobcats.
• Treg Setty and Gavin Block each added 12 points. Block saw an increased number of minutes due to the absence of starter Jordan Dartis.
TV/Radio
Dave LaMont and Reggie Rankin will have the call on CBS Sports Network, while 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 will go back on to take on Central Michigan next Tuesday (February 2).
