Kent State University
19-9,14-4MAC
Central Michigan
7-20,6-10MAC
Late Comeback Lifts Flashes Past Chips
2/26/2022 11:06:00 PM | Men's Basketball
KENT, Ohio – The Kent State men's basketball team (19-9, 14-4 MAC) used a last-minute comeback to edge past Central Michigan (7-20, 6-10 MAC) to win its 10th-consecutive Mid-American Conference game for the first time since the historic 2001-02 season.
The Golden Flashes stumbled out of the gate and trailed 13-5 five minutes into the game. They battled to within one point at the half with CMU leading 31-30.
The two teams fought and scratched all second half as well with no team leading by more than four until a Cameron Healy three-pointer put the Chips up 53-46 with 9:33 on the clock. The Flashes stormed back but couldn't grab the lead and CMU pushed it back to seven with 5:14 left to play.
Kent State took its first lead of the second half with 2:54 left on a Sincere Carry step back jumper in the paint. After two CMU free throws, Carry drilled a pull-up three to give the Flashes the lead again. Healy connected on a three on the ensuing possession which tipped the score in the Chips' favor.
With the Flashes down one, Tervell Beck made a pair of free throws with 1:08 to play which put the Flashes back on top. After two more CMU free throws, Carry took matters into his own hands and drove the length of the court and finished at the rim through contact for an old-fashioned three-point play. Carry's game winning play gave the Flashes a 73-71 victory after stopping the Chips' final shot attempt.
It was a gutsy win for the Flashes who were without Malique Jacobs for the majority of the second half after his second technical of the game sent him to the locker room. The Flashes led for just four minutes in the entire game.
Kent State dominated inside, outscoring CMU 38-12 in the paint. Andrew Garcia was the primary source of the paint scoring with a season-high 21 points and 10 rebounds. Seven of his rebounds came on the offensive end which helped the Flashes to a 25-5 second-chance points advantage. It was Garcia's first double-double as a Golden Flash. Carry finished with 20 points, seven rebounds and three steals.
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.
The Flashes travel to Northern Illinois on Tuesday, March 1, to take on the Huskies. Following the two-game road trip, the Flashes return home for Senior Night on Friday, March 4, at 6 p.m., in the MAC Center as the team will honor Justyn Hamilton, Andrew Garcia and Tervell Beck. The game will be nationally televised on ESPNU.
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.
