Kent State University
5-3,2-2MAC
Central Michigan University
5-7,1-4MAC
Five Flashes Score in Double Figures in Win Over Central Michigan
1/12/2021 8:19:00 PM | Men's Basketball
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.- Seniors Danny Pippen and Michael Nuga combined for 46 points on Tuesday afternoon, leading the Flashes to a 94-85 victory over Central Michigan at McGuirk Arena. Five Flashes scored in double figures as Kent State eclipses the 90-point mark for the third time this season.
Pippen posted his second double-double of the season with a game-high 28 points and 11 rebounds. He added four assists and three blocks, while Nuga scored 18 points and grabbed seven boards. Junior Malique Jacobs scored a career-high 14 points and had four assists and three steals. Sophomore Giovanni Santiago scored 11 points and senior Tervell Beck rounded out the double-digit scoring with 10.
The game was close throughout as it featured 11 ties and 10 lead changes. Kent State won it via a late run as it reeled off an 18-9 run in the final 4:52 to claim the road victory.
KSU (5-3, 2-2 MAC) started the game with a 6-0 lead, but the Chippewas quickly answered with a 10-0 run and took a 10-6 lead. Kent State jumped out to a 10-point lead, 48-38, highlighted by three-pointers from Santiago and Pippen.
Down by as many as 10 in the final minute of the half, the Chippewas went on a 7-0 run that brought within three, 48-45, to end the half.
A jumper by the Chippewas gave CMU its first lead of 62-60 since the opening half as the two teams would exchange leads two more times in the second half. With 4:52 remaining, and the score tied at 76, a layup by Beck would put Kent State ahead for good as the Flashes would go on a dominant 10-0 run to seal the 94-85 victory.
For the game,the Flashes outshot the hosts as they hit at a 49-percent clip from the floor (30-of-61) and a 33-percent clip from downtown (7-of-21). They also hit at a 79-percent clip from the charity stripe, going 27-of-34.
Kent State is back on the road as the Flashes make the trip down to Athens, Ohio to take on Ohio on Saturday, Jan. 16. Tip time is scheduled for 2 p.m.
