Kent State University
Buffalo
Flashes Take on Buffalo in Prime Time
1/20/2022 12:18:00 PM | Men's Basketball
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State men's basketball team (9-8, 4-3 MAC) travels to western New York tomorrow to take on Buffalo (9-6, 3-2 MAC) in a Mid-American Conference showdown against the Bulls on CBS Sports Network at 8 p.m.
The Golden Flashes won their second-straight MAC game, earning a 56-47 victory over Eastern Michigan on the road Tuesday evening. The Flashes held EMU to just 17 first-half points, led by Malique Jacobs and his defensive efforts. The 2020-21 All-MAC Defensive Team member posted a season-high four steals, blocked two shots and deflected multiple passes. Jacobs also led the team with 17 points and five rebounds.
Along with Jacobs, Sincere Carry orchestrated another great game. He scored 11 points, dished out six assists and grabbed five boards. Carry's offensive numbers are off the charts, but he dominates the defensive end as well. He held EMU's Noah Farrakhan, a top-10 scorer in the MAC, to just one single point on 0-for-7 shooting.
The Flashes have turned up the heat defensively over the past two games, allowing just 51 points per game in the back-to-back victories. Great team defense accompanied by sensational individual performances have the Flashes right back near the top of the MAC after a 2-3 start. A switch in the starting lineup has proved successful for the Flashes with VonCameron Davis and Akeem Odusipe entering the starting five each of the past two games.
Kent State currently boasts the number one scoring defense in the conference. The team has allowed more than 65 points just once over the last six conference games.
Scouting the Bulls
Buffalo is led by one of the coldest players in the MAC in Jeenathan Williams. The standout is averaging 18.3 points per game this season to lead the Bulls. His efficiency is impressive, making 45.7 percent of his baskets and shooting 39 percent from long range. He also averages 5.4 rebounds per game.
Williams isn't the only guy on Buffalo that makes an impact. Ronaldo Segu and Josh Mballa also help the Bulls in different ways. Segu leads the team with 5.2 assists per game and is second on the team in scoring, averaging 16.2 points per game. Mballa leads the Bulls in rebounds (105), steals (21) and blocks (12).
The Bulls are the second-highest scoring team in the conference and the best rebounding team in the league. They also lead the league in assists per game (15.2).
Follow the Flashes
Home tickets for the 2021-22 season are on sale now. Fans are required to wear face coverings while inside the M.A.C. Center. For questions regarding ticket information, email athletictickets@kent.edu or call 330-672-4455.
Next up, Kent State will return home for a matchup with Western Michigan on Tuesday, Jan. 25, in its Coaches vs. Cancer game before hopping back on the road for a two-game stretch against Bowling Green and Miami.
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.
