Kent State University
6-3,3-2MAC
Ohio University
7-6,3-4MAC
Flashes Win Third Straight MAC Game; 89-79 at Ohio
1/16/2021 5:17:00 PM | Men's Basketball
ATHENS, Ohio- The Kent State University men's basketball team improved to 3-2 in Mid-American Conference play on Saturday afternoon with an 89-79 win over Ohio. Overall, the Flashes improve to 6-3 on the year.
Four players scored in double figures as the Flashes got a huge boost this afternoon from senior Danny Pippen who led the team with 22 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks. Pippen scored 20 second-half points on 8-of-13 from the floor.
In addition, senior Tervell Beck scored a career-high 18 points and had five boards, while senior Michael Nuga notched his first double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Junior Malique Jacobs rounded out the double-digit scoring with 14 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
In the opening half, the Flashes got out to a 10-point lead after a 12-2 run put KSU ahead, 19-9. The Bobcats got within two as OU answered back with an 8-0 run that made it 19-17 in the Flashes' favor. Kent State would pull away as the Flashes held the Bobcats without a field goal for the final five minutes of the half and take a 40-26 lead into the break.
The Flashes dominated the paint in the first half and had 24 of their 40 points coming from under the hoop. Kent State also out-rebounded the Bobcats 26-6 and grabbed 10 offensive boards that allowed 12 second-chance points.
KSU had a red-hot start to the second half, opening on an 8-2 run over the first five minutes of action. Back-to-back three-pointers from Nuga and sophomore Giovanni Santiago put the Flashes ahead, 55-38.
The Bobcats would cut the Kent State lead in half over the next 10 minutes, but Ohio would never get within eight points of the Flashes. KSU responded with the next four points, capped off on a thunderous dunk from Pippen, which extended the Flashes lead back up to 10, 79-69 with 3:22 left and KSU would go on to win by 10.
Kent State ended the game shooting a season-high 57 percent (36-of-61) from the floor and connecting on 36 percent from long range (9-of-25). The Flashes dominated the glass with 45 rebounds to the Bobcats' 21, while also outscoring OU in the paint, 50-22.
The Flashes return home as Kent State will face Buffalo on Tuesday, Jan. 19 at the M.A.C. Center. Tip time is scheduled for 5 p.m.
