Kent State University
5-3,0-0MAC
Detroit Mercy
2-7,2-0Horizon
Jacobs Posts Double-Double as Flashes Beat Titans
12/9/2021 10:36:00 PM | Men's Basketball
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State men's basketball team (5-3) beat Detroit Mercy (2-7) on Thursday night inside the M.A.C. Center, 69-52.
For the Flashes, it was the 10th straight time the team has won at home immediately following a home loss.
The two teams battled in the first half with Detroit Mercy taking the lead early and the Flashes storming back. Malique Jacobs led the team in the opening half with nine points. Jacobs finished with a team-high 23 points to go with 11 rebounds – his second double-double of the year.
Jacobs was helped by Justyn Hamilton and Giovanni Santiago who both scored in double figures. Hamilton came off the bench for the first time this season and shot 4-for-6 from the field with 12 points and five rebounds. Santiago recorded his third straight game with three or more 3-pointers and finished the game with 11 points, five assists and five boards.
Kent State led by six at the half and the game never got closer than that in the second half. The Flashes pushed the lead to 10 and led steadily for the remainder of the game. They led by as many 22 in the game.
The Flashes held one of the nation's best scorers, Antoine Davis, to a mere 19 points – under his season average – on just 5-for-17 from the field. Davis was one of just four Titans to score points on the night. Kent State held Detroit Mercy to 28.8 percent from the field and just 25 percent from beyond the arc.
The Golden Flashes continued their nation-leading free throw shooting, going 15-for-16 from the line. The team is now shooting 83.5 percent from the charity stripe this season which leads the country.
Follow the Flashes
Next up for the Kent State is a nationally televised matchup against West Virginia on Sunday, Dec. 12, at 4 p.m. Coach Senderoff returns to the location of his first win at Kent State as the Flashes and Mountaineers clash on ESPN2.
Home tickets for the 2021-22 season are on sale now. For questions regarding ticket information, email athletictickets@kent.edu or call 330-672-4455. The Flashes will host Southern in the M.A.C. Center on Sunday, Dec. 19, and Cleveland State on Tuesday, Dec. 21, as the second game of a double header following the women's basketball team's matchup against Florida State.
For more information on the men's basketball team, follow Kent State Men's Basketball on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and visit kentstatesports.com for additional updates.
