Kent State University
3-1,0-0MAC
Northern Kentucky University
2-3,0-0Horizon
Balanced Scoring Pushes Flashes Past Northern Kentucky
12/13/2020 5:18:00 PM | Men's Basketball
KENT, Ohio- The Kent State men's basketball team (3-1) used balanced scoring in its 92-73 win over Northern Kentucky on Sunday afternoon at the M.A.C. Center.
KSU had five players finish in double-figures as Justyn Hamilton led the way with a career-high 22 points. Michael Nuga and Danny Pippen both added 19 points, while Malique Jacobs and Gabe O'Neal rounded out the double-digit scoring with 13 and 10 points, respectively.
The opening half started with a consistent battle between the two teams as buckets were traded as the lead was never more than two points until the 15:02 mark. The Flashes used a 14-2 run over two minutes that put Kent State ahead, 39-22, their largest lead of the half. KSU went 22-of-35 (63 percent) from the floor and 50 percent (6-of-12) from beyond the arc in the first half.
Despite the Flashes' 15-point lead at the half, NKU came out of the break hot and started the second half with a 5-0 run that trimmed the Flashes' lead to ten, 54-42. NKU was able to reach within nine points with under eight minutes remaining, but a three from Giovanni Santiago gave KSU a 12-point advantage. Kent State used a 12-2 run over the remaining four minutes that put the game out of NKU's reach. The run was highlighted by a three-pointer from Santiago, and a fast break dunk from Nuga as Kent State secured the 92-73 victory.
For the game, the Flashes shot 55.2 percent (37-of-67) from the floor and connected on 45.8 percent (11-of-24) from three-point range. KSU slightly edged the Norse in the battle of the boards 39-34. KSU dominated in the paint scoring 48 points compared to NKU's 32.
Kent State is back in action on Saturday, Dec. 19 for the first installment of the across-town rivalry match against the Zips. The rivalry showdown will take place at the M.A.C. Center with a 2 p.m. tipoff.
