Kent State University
4-0,0-0MAC
Purdue Fort Wayne
2-4,0-0Summit League
Flashes Stay Perfect After Strong Second Half
11/19/2019 11:12:00 PM | Men's Basketball
KENT, Ohio- It took a strong second half for the Kent State men's basketball team to improve to 4-0 on the season as the Flashes came away with the 75-68 victory on Tuesday night at the M.A.C. Center. Senior Mitch Peterson paced the Flashes' defensive efforts in the second half with three steals, four rebounds, and a key blocked shot with six seconds left in the game.
The Flashes had four players finish with double-digit scoring nights, led by Antonio Williams' game-high 16 points, four rebounds, and four assists. Troy Simons added 14 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Danny Pippen ended with 12 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks, while Anthony rounded out the double-figure scoring with 11 points and five rebounds.
KSU was forced to play catch-up throughout most of the game after trailing by as many as 11 in the first half. The Flashes were able to even the score with a run ignited by a Pippen three, but the Mastodons went into the break with a four-point advantage, 42-38. Turnovers were costly for KSU in the first half as the Flashes committed 11 turnovers, which led to 15 points by the Mastodons.
After being down by eight with 11:50 remaining to play, the duo of Simons and Williams brought the Flashes within two points of Purdue Fort Wayne. Williams found Pippen at the top of the arc for a three that gave the Flashes their first lead of the game, 60-59, with seven minutes remaining. A 3-pointer by Peterson kept the Flashes lead out of reach, while KSU's defense forced two turnovers and two blocked shots in the final two minutes of the game that secured the 75-68 victory.
KSU's second-half defense limited the Mastodons shooting to 10-of-28 (35.7 percent) from the floor and only 3-of-10 (30 percent) from beyond the arc while holding the Mastodons' leading scorer, Matt Holba to only two points in the second half.
As a team, the Flashes slightly edged the Mastodons in rebounds, 36-35. KSU held Purdue Fort Wayne to just six offensive rebounds, while the Flashes pulled down nine offensive boards on their end of the court.
The Flashes have a quick turnaround as they return to the M.A.C. Center Thursday, Nov. 21 to host Concord. Thursday's game will tipoff at 5 p.m. and air on ESPN3.
