Kent State University
Ohio
Flashes Host Bobcats in Blackout Battle
2/17/2022 6:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State men's basketball team (16-9, 11-4 MAC) is hosting Ohio (22-4, 13-2 MAC) in a nationally-televised prime time Mid-American Conference showdown against the top team in the conference.
The Flashes are hosting International Night where 19 different countries will be represented, including two current players. Akeem Odusipe (Nigeria) and Giovanni Santiago (Puerto Rico) are both international students on the team.
The Golden Flashes have won seven games in a row and have jumped into third place in the MAC. Kent State has been rolling since mid-January, winning nine of their last 10 games after a 2-3 start in conference play.
During the Flashes' seven-game winning streak, the Flashes have four players averaging in double figures led by Sincere Carry at 19.3 points per game. Carry continues to be the player to watch for Kent State, as he's led the team in scoring 17 times this season. He recorded his ninth 20-point game of the season against Toledo off the bench.
Giovanni Santiago is shooting 15-for-33 from beyond the arc during the winning streak and earned his first start in the last seven games against Toledo. Meanwhile, Andrew Garcia has come to life since returning to full health. He has scored in double figures in five games during the streak and is averaging 12.6 points. Malique Jacobs continues to be the team's swiss army knife. He is averaging 11.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists per game and has 12 steals over the past seven games.
During the Flashes' seven-game winning streak, they have been dominant on both sides of the ball. The Golden Flashes are averaging nearly 80 points per game during the streak and holding opponents to less than 70 points. They have a +10.6 scoring margin during the streak and are shooting 49.4 percent from the field and 41.0 percent from three. The Flashes most recently held Toledo to a season-low 59 points.
Scouting the Bobcats
With Kent State's dominant win over Toledo, the Ohio Bobcats grabbed first place in the MAC. The Bobcats are 13-2 in conference play with both losses coming against the Rockets. Ohio beat the Flashes, 80-72, earlier this season in Athens.
The Bobcats are led by all-around point guard Mark Sears. Sears leads the team in scoring, assists, steals, free throw percentage, three-point percentage and is third on the team in rebounds. Sears is the MAC's leading scorer at 20.1 points per game. Ben Vander Plas is another Bobcat to look out for. The big man is averaging 13.7 points and leads the team with 6.7 rebounds per game. Vander Plas also leads the team with 51 threes.
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 host Ball State on Twos-day, Feb. 22. Special ticket packages for the 2/22/22 game will be available starting this weekend.
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.
