Huge Second Half Helps Flashes Past Eagles

Saturday, February 5

Kent, Ohio

2:00 p.m.

Kent State University

13-9,8-4MAC

Eastern Michigan

8-14,3-8MAC

Eastern Mich.

Kent St.

Photo by: David Dermer

Huge Second Half Helps Flashes Past Eagles

2/5/2022 6:12:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

KENT, Ohio – The Kent State men's basketball team (13-9, 8-4 MAC) pulled away in the second half against Eastern Michigan (9-12, 3-7 MAC) to pick up its fourth-straight win on Saturday afternoon in the M.A.C. Center.

It was a downpour of three-pointers from the Flashes led by Giovanni Santiago who recorded a season-high 21 points on 7-for-10 shooting, including 5-for-8 from beyond the arc. Santiago's five threes are the second-most he has made in a single game in his career, behind only his 6-for-6 effort earlier this season against Point Park. The sharpshooting guard took over the game despite only playing 16 minutes.

The Golden Flashes connected on 12 threes and shot 48 percent from deep for the game. Six total Flashes drilled at least one three with Sincere Carry and Andrew Garcia each adding multiple threes.

The Flashes used their third 50-point half in their last three games during the second half to run away with the victory. After trailing by four at the break, the Flashes dominated period number two and exploded for 55 second-half points.

Malique Jacobs continued to stuff the stat sheet, scoring 13 points while adding a team-high six assists and four rebounds. Jacobs along with Garcia (13) and Carry (12) each scored in double figures. Carry led the team with seven rebounds.

The bench was the highlight of the Flashes on Saturday, as they scored more than half of the team's points. Santiago wasn't the only bench player putting up numbers; Justyn Hamilton (8) and Jalen Sullinger (7) both contributed as well.

Kent State had one of its best offensive games of the season, shooting 56 percent from the field and 48 percent from deep. It was second time the Flashes scored 90 or more points in the last three games.

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 host Bowling Green on Tuesday, Feb. 8, before heading to the school down the road on Friday, Jan to take on Akron in another edition of the Wagon Wheel rivalry.

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.