Kent State University
Akron
Flashes Look to Sweep Wagon Wheel Series
2/10/2022 7:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State men's basketball team (14-9, 9-4 MAC) travel to the school down the road to take on Akron (16-6, 9-3 MAC) in a prime-time matchup at 7pm on ESPN2.
The Golden Flashes are on a five-game winning streak and have one seven of their last eight games. It's the first time in five years that the Flashes have won five straight Mid-American Conference games. The Flashes beat the Zips in the first matchup this season in a game where Sincere Carry scored a season-high 32 points.Â
Giovanni Santiago has led the team in scoring each of the past two games, including 18 points in the Flashes' win over Bowling Green. Meanwhile, Andrew Garcia has come to life since returning to full health. He has scored in double figures in five consecutive games and posted 17 points and eight rebounds against BGSU.
Carry and Malique Jacobs continue to be one of the most dominant backcourts in the MAC. Carry scored 17 points and tallied five assists against the Falcons. It was Carry's 13th game this season with five or more assists. Jacobs does a little bit of everything for the Flashes but most importantly he leads the team in rebounding. He did so again against BGSU, grabbing a game-high nine rebounds to go with six points, four assists and four steals.
During the Flashes' five-game winning streak, they have been dominant on both sides of the ball. The Golden Flashes are averaging 82.0 points per game during the streak and only allowing 70.2 points per game.
Scouting the Zips
The Zips enter the second edition of the Crystal Clinic Wagon Wheel Challenge winners of three straight and seven of their last eight. Akron is 10-1 at home this season, including 5-1 in MAC games.
Akron gets production from multiple players with four different Zips averaging double digits. Ali Ali, Xavier Castaneda, Enrique Freeman and Bryan Trimble Jr. make up the Zips' big four. The Flashes currently lead the all-time series against the school down the road, 79-78, and will look to get their 80th win in the rivalry on Friday.
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, the Flashes take on the Mid-American Conference leading Toledo Rockets on the road on Tuesday, Feb. 15. The team then returns home for a prime-time showdown with Ohio on Friday, Feb. 18. Fans are encouraged to wear black for the game against Ohio.Â
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.
