Kent State University
5-3
Cleveland State
2-5
Men's Hoops Tops Cleveland State at Home, 72-62
12/2/2017 10:23:00 PM | Men's Basketball
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State University men's basketball team (5-3) returned home to claim a victory over the Cleveland State Vikings (2-6) Saturday, 72-62.
"Great to get a win back here in the M.A.C. Center," said head coach Rob Senderoff. "We played really well the last 14 minutes against Norfolk State and it was great to see it carry over. It became a tight game in the second half, and our guys made really big plays on both ends of the floor in the last five minutes. I think that's important for us and I think we showed a lot of growth in doing that."
Kevin Zabo led the Golden Flashes in the points column with 17 on 5-for-12 shooting. He was one short of his career high. He also had six rebounds and a pair of steals. Adonis De La Rosa scored 16 points on 6-for-10 shooting and recorded team-bests of seven rebounds and three assists, the latter a new career-high. Jalen Avery had 15 points on 5-for-11 shooting, three assists and no turnovers.
The Flashes and Vikings started close, before Kent State took control of the first half. The two Northeast Ohio squads battled to a quick 8-8 tie in the first four minutes. From there, Cleveland State only scored four points for a nine minute stretch. The Flashes scored 13 straight points, allowing them to build a 31-12 with five minutes left in the half, its biggest in a game they would never trail. Cleveland State did not let the game get too far away from them, finishing the period on a 14-4 run. Kent State led at the break, 35-24.
The Flashes continued to be pressured by the Vikings at the start of the second half. Cleveland State cut its deficit to seven in the first five minutes before the Flashes went on an 8-1 run. Although Kent State never trailed, the Vikings made a crucial push with seven minutes left. The road team scored nine straight points, putting the score at 55-54 with just under five minutes left.
Over the last five minutes, Kent State played arguably its most complete performance of the season. The Flashes held Cleveland State to 2-for-8 shooting and were perfect on offense, finishing 5-for-5 from the floor and 6-for-6 from the foul line. Four of the five shots were right at the basket, with the fifth and final jumper coming on a dagger 3-pointer by Avery with a minute left.
Overall, Kent State shot 39.7 percent (27-for-68) from the floor and 81.3 percent (13-for-16) from the foul line. Cleveland State shot 42.9 percent but took 12 less shots. The Flashes won the rebounding battle, 41-35, with 18 offensive boards. Kent State also had less turnovers than the Vikings at 9-16.
BJ Duling was a spark off the bench with 10 points and six rebounds. Desmond Ridenour tallied six points and five rebounds, while Danny Pippen and Akiean Frederick scored four points apiece. Pippen also recorded six rebounds, a block and a steal.
The Flashes will hit the road for their next two games, beginning with a Wednesday matchup at No. 21 Xavier at 7 p.m. on FS1.
