Kent State University
4-3,1-2MAC
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Western Michigan University
2-7,1-3MAC
Dominant Second Half Leads Flashes to Victory Over Western Michigan
1/9/2021 7:36:00 PM | Men's Basketball
KENT, Ohio- The Kent State men's basketball team (4-3, 1-2 MAC) snapped its two-game losing streak as the Flashes captured their first Mid-American Conference victory after stunning Western Michigan, 80-54. The story of the game was Kent State outscoring the Broncos 53-27 in the second half, with their offense coming alive and stifling Western Michigan.
Kent State was led by senior Michael Nuga who scored a career-high 26 points. Nuga also grabbed five rebounds and had two steals. Sophomore Giovanni Santiago added 13 points and connected on 3-of-5 from beyond the arc, while senior Justn Hamilton rounded out the double-digit scoring with 10 points and nine rebounds.
Kent State struggled across the board in the first half, turning the ball over nine times and forcing only two steals. Despite coming back from a nine-point deficit of 22-13, the Flashes shot 37.9 percent from the floor and only 25 percent (4-of-16) from long range. A three-pointer from Santiago ignited a 14-3 scoring run that put the Flashes ahead, 27-24, before the Broncos tied the score at 27-all headed into the break.
However, the Flashes came out of the locker room hot and never looked back. Kent State converted on five three-point field goal shots and dominated on the glass on both sides. Nuga could not be stopped in the second half, where he scored 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting while also securing four rebounds. Kent State would outscore the Broncos, 27-6 in the final six minutes of the game en route to the 80-54 victory.
For the game, the Flashes shot 33-of-66 (50 percent) from the floor and 9-of-31 (29 percent) from beyond the arc. The Flashes won the battle of the boards, 37-28. Kent State dominated the paint scoring 44 points to the Broncos' 24.
The Flashes hit the floor on Tuesday, Jan. 12, facing Central Michigan on the road. Tip time is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
