Kent State University
15-6 (6-2MAC)
Ohio University
(4-413-7 MAC)
Hall’s double-double not enough in loss to Bobcats
1/30/2016 2:49:00 AM | Men's Basketball
ATHENS, Ohio – Jimmy Hall notched his third double-double over the last five games, but Kent State was unable to overcome a slow start on offense in a 72-61 loss at Ohio University on Friday night.
Kent State (15-6, 6-2 MAC) made just 9 of 29 field goals (31.0%) and committed 11 turnovers in the first 20 minutes of the game and trailed by as much as 11 before heading into the locker room with a 30-23 deficit.
Ohio took a 22-11 advantage on a three-point shot by Kenny Kaminski with 6:55 remaining in the opening half before the Golden Flashes came to life and scored nine straight to make it a one-possession game. The Bobcats then closed the half on an 8-3 run.
The Flashes looked like a different team coming out of the locker room, scoring on four of their first five possessions and getting within a point at 34-33 after a three-point field goal by Kellon Thomas with 16:57 to play.
That is as close as it would get, as Ohio (13-7, 4-4 MAC) would extend its lead to as much as 12 while improving to 10-1 at the Convocation Center this season.
Playing in his first full game in Athens after seeing limited action in his return from mononucleosis a season ago, Hall put on a show for the Bobcat faithful with 23 points and a game-high 13 rebounds to go with two blocked shots. He had a double-double in the first half alone.
Kent State's shorthanded backcourt was unable to get going and led to an ineffective offense for much of the night. The Flashes were without the services of freshman Jaylin Walker for the second consecutive game and redshirt senior and second-leading scorer Xavier Pollard left the game after falling to the floor after playing just six minutes. Deon Edwin scored 11 points and Galal Cancer provided quality minutes off the bench with excellent defensive play and a season-high 9 points.
