Kent State University
17-9,12-4MAC
Ohio
22-5,13-3MAC
Stifling Defense Helps Flashes Crush Bobcats
2/18/2022 10:06:00 PM | Men's Basketball
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State men's basketball team (17-9, 12-4 MAC) picked up its eighth-consecutive win in punishing fashion against Ohio (22-5, 13-3 MAC) as the Flashes dominated defensively in front of a rowdy home crowd inside the MAC Center.
It started and ended on the defensive end for the Golden Flashes as they blitzed the Bobcats early and often. The Flashes did not allow Ohio to record a field goal until the 9:08 mark in the opening half and stormed out to a 23-6 lead.
The Flashes continued to shut down the Bobcats in the first half, holding Ohio to just 2-for-25 from the field and 0-for-15 from beyond the arc going into half time. Kent State led 45-15 at the break. The 30-point halftime lead was their largest against a Division-I opponent this season.
In the second half, it was more of the same for the Flashes. The defensive intensity stayed high, and Kent State kept the lead over 20 for the remainder of the game. The offense in the second half picked up the excitement as well, using multiple high-flying alley oops and no-look passes to get the entire arena on their feet.
The Golden Flashes spread the ball around well with four different players scoring in double figures. The leaders of the pack were Giovanni Santiago and Malique Jacobs who each scored 14 points. Jacobs added a game-high nine rebounds.
Sincere Carry fueled the offense all night and fed his teammates along the way. He recorded 12 points, five rebounds and a game-high seven assists. Justyn Hamilton recorded 10 points and eight boards off the bench, while Tervell Beck drilled three first-half three-pointers and finished with nine points for the game. Andrew Garcia added eight points and four rebounds.
Kent State dominated off the bench again, outscoring Ohio 38-11. The Flashes' defense held the Bobcats to just 12-for-52 from the field, including 5-for-28 from three.
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.
