Kent State University
4-1
Savannah State
2-4
Flashes End Homestand With 104-84 Win Over Savannah State
11/20/2018 11:41:00 PM | Men's Basketball
KENT, Ohio- The Kent State University men's basketball team ended its four-game homestand on a high note, defeating Savannah State 104-84, at the M.A.C. Center on Tuesday night.
With the win, the Flashes improve to 4-1 on the season while the Tigers fell to 2-4.
The Golden Flashes scored 104 points in regulation against a Division I opponent for the second-straight season. Last season, the Kent State scored 111 against Youngstown State (Nov. 12, 2017). They reached this mark by scoring a season-high 63 points in the first half points
Five Flashes reached double digits in scoring as junior Antonio Williams led all scorers with a career-high 22 points. Williams added five rebounds, four assists, and a steal to his high-scoring game. The junior went 5-of-13 (38.4 percent) from the floor and completed 3-of-4 (75 percent) from long range. Senior Jalen Avery scored 17 points completing a game-high 5-of-12 (41.6 percent) from beyond the arc and dished out a game-high six assists.
The Flashes offense opened the game with back-to-back 3-pointers from Avery and CJ Williamson that put them ahead, 6-4. Five minutes into the game, Kent State would cap off an 18-4 run with a 3-pointer from Avery that put them up 24-8 with 13:12 remaining in the first half. A steal followed by a dunk from Williams forced Savannah State to take a timeout to stop the Flashes' 42-18 lead with 6:53 remaining in the half. The Tigers hit their first 3-pointer of the game with 5:19 remaining, which cut KSU's lead to 49-21. At halftime, Kent State led the Tigers, 63-38.
The Flashes' perimeter defense stood strong as they limited Savannah State shooting only 3-of-21 (14.3 percent) from beyond the arc in the first half. Kent State shot 19-of-42 (45.2 percent) from the field and 8-of-25 (32 percent) from long range, while the Tigers finished the half shooting 16-of-46 (34.8 percent) from the floor. The Flashes closed the half with 16 assists and 27 rebounds.
In the second half, Kent State continued its offensive takeover and immediately ran away with the contest. The Flashes started the period on an 8-2 run to put themselves up by 33 points. With 10:15 remaining in the game, Kent State would take its largest lead of the game, 93-50. A lay-up from junior Kain Harris scored the Flashes' final basket and Kent State went on to win the game, 104-84.
Overall, Kent State shot 37-of-77 (49.1 percent) from the floor, 12-of-36 (33.3 percent) from long range, while Savannah State shot 30-of-77 (39 percent) from the floor and only 10-of-36 (27.8 percent) from beyond the arc. The Flashes won the rebound battle 51-46, with 17 offensive boards.
Williamson and Akiean Frederick finished the game with 12 points, while Kain Harris rounded out the Flashes' double-figure scoring with 10 points. Philip Whittington led the team with eight rebounds.
The Flashes hit the road over Thanksgiving and take on SEC opponent Vanderbilt Friday, Nov. 23 at 5 p.m. EST in Nashville, Tenn.
