Kent State University
2-0
Mississippi Valley State
0-3
Men's Basketball Downs MVSU, 93-63
11/16/2016 11:13:00 PM | Men's Basketball
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State University men's basketball team (2-0) opened up play inside the M.A.C. Center with a 93-63 victory over Mississippi Valley State (0-3) Wednesday.
To read about the team's display of unity during the national anthem, CLICK HERE.
For the second straight night, Jimmy Hall led the Golden Flashes in points and rebounds with 23 and nine respectively. Hall shot 7-for-12 from the floor and 9-for-11 from the free throw line. He also chipped in five assists to one turnover and a block. Jaylin Walker scored 14 points, while senior Deon Edwin scored 11. Edwin also tallied four rebounds, four assists and just one turnover. Kevin Zabo came off the bench to lead the team in assists with six.
"I thought that there was a lot of positives from a lot of different guys," said head coach Rob Senderoff. "It was good to see Jaylin Walker get out there and open up the game, making a couple 3's for his confidence. I think the biggest thing for our team is really the way [we all] are playing unselfishly.
"Jimmy's mentality of having trust in everybody on the roster, I think it exudes confidence for everybody else. When your best player is moving the basketball as unselfishly as he is, it is impossible for somebody else not to play that way."
Kent State won the first half by double digits, but broke out in a dominant second period. In the first, the Flashes jumped out to a 14-4 lead, aided by a series of treys from Walker and Jalen Avery. The Delta Devils fired back, eventually taking a 25-24 lead, but the Flashes took over from there. The home squad finished the half on a 16-5 run to enter halftime up, 41-31.
The Flashes came on blazing hot in the second half. They made five of their first six shots of the period, helping them take a 21-point lead at 66-45 with 11:40 remaining. With 3:05 remaining, Kent State held its largest lead of the game at 90-54. The visiting team fought the deficit down, but the Flashes cruised to victory.
Overall, Kent State shot 44.6 percent (33-for-74) from the floor and 40 percent (12-for-30) from 3-point range. In the second half, Kent State shot 51.4%. Kent State had 54 rebounds, twice as many as the opposition and the most the program has had in over five years. Kent State won the turnover battle, 13-15.
Avery finished the night with a career-high nine points on 3-for-3 shooting from deep. He also tallied four rebounds, two assists and two steals. Leo Edwards was a perfect 4-for-4 from the floor, scoring eight points with three boards. Jerrelle DeBerry registered seven points and three rebounds.
"I thought Jalen Avery was really good tonight defensively," said Senderoff. "He made those 3's, obviously, but I thought he did as good of a job, if not better, defensively."
The Flashes will have a quick turnaround, hosting Hiram Friday at 7 p.m.
