Kent State University
15-8, 6-4MAC
University of Toledo
14-9, 5-5MAC
Flashes Celebrate 100 Seasons of Men's Basketball, Drop Contest to Rockets
2/6/2016 9:43:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Final Stats (pdf)
KENT, Ohio – Kent State welcomed back student-athletes from the past six decades to celebrate the 100th season in men's basketball history, but Toledo's red-hot shooting led to an 82-67 loss for the Golden Flashes on Saturday at the M.A.C. Center.
The Flashes (15-8, 6-4 MAC) dropped their third straight contest despite big offensive nights from Galal Cancer, Jimmy Hall and Deon Edwin. Cancer tied a career-high with 19 points while drilling 8-of-11 from the field and 3-of-6 from three-point range. Hall added 16 points and nine rebounds and Edwin contributed 15 on 6-of-8 from shooting, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc.
The Cancer-Hall-Edwin trio combined to shoot 63 percent from the field (21-for-33) and 57 percent from three (8-for-14). It wasn't enough, however, as Toledo took control after the break by hitting its first seven shots of the second half, including four threes.
"This is the third game in a row that we haven't put together a full game," said Kent State head coach Rob Senderoff. "In the first half, we defended well, but have to have the lead when you only allow 31 points. Then in the second, we made shots and took better care of the ball couldn't get stops. We have to defend at a much higher level because you're not beating anybody that shoots 58.7-percent."
Toledo built a 31-26 lead at halftime, taking advantage of early foul trouble that forced key players like Cancer and Khaliq Spicer to the bench. In addition to their sizzling shooting from the field (58.7 percent, 27-for-46), the Rockets converted 16-of-18 from the foul line. The Flashes, who outscored Toledo 36-14 in the paint, were just 3-for-4 the foul line.
Kent State also outrebounded Toledo 28-23 and outscored the Rockets 10-3 on second chances.
Toledo took advantage of Kent State's 16 turnovers, enjoying an 18-8 advantage off of the Flashes offensive miscues.
Nathan Boothe's 26-point, 12-rebound night led Toledo. Jonathan Williams added 17 points while making seven of his eight shots. Nate Navigato added 11 off of the bench as the Rockets outscored KSU's reserves 21-7.
The Golden Flashes are back in action on Tuesday when Northern Illinois visits the M.A.C. Center at 7 p.m.
POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE
