Kent State University
1-27-9; MAC
Miami University
2-19-7; MAC
Big Second Half Not Enough in 80-69 Men's Basketball Loss at Miami
1/9/2018 9:26:00 PM | Men's Basketball
OXFORD, Ohio – Kent State's big second half wasn't enough to overcome a slow start in an 80-69 loss to Miami University at Millett Hall on Tuesday night.
A big 44-point second half couldn't dig the Golden Flashes out of the hole they dug for themselves in a first half that saw Miami take a 48-25 lead into the break.
"It's tough to come back from the start we had," said Kent State coach Rob Senderoff. "That's the worst start I've ever seen us have in a game. Obviously, I'm disappointed by that. The guys fought back in the second half and cut (Miami's) 20-point lead down to eight. If we are going to win games in this league, we have to play better for 40 minutes. That's what it comes down to."
Adonis De La Rosa led Kent State (4-10, 8-10) with 16 points and seven rebounds in 28 minutes. Jalen Avery added 12 points and two assists in another turnover-free game at point guard.
Led by Kevin Zabo, who recovered from a rough-shooting first half to finish with 11 points, the Golden Flashes closed the game by hitting nine of their last 11 shots from the field.
"I'm proud of the guys for continuing to fight," said Senderoff. "I'm proud of that, for sure. A loss is a loss, but I'm proud of the fight we showed in the second half…I thought in the second half we played much more to our character. Much more the way we are supposed to play. I'm very disappointed (and) take responsibility for how we played in the first half. We'll try to get better moving forward."
The RedHawks were led by freshman Nike Sibande's 17 points. Darrian Ringo added 16 for Miami.
Kent State returns to the M.A.C. Center to face Ohio University on Friday night at 7 p.m.
