Kent State University
1-0,0-0MAC
Malone University
-00,00 GMAC
Second Half Spark Leads the Flashes to Season-Opening Win
11/6/2023 10:14:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Kent, OH - The Kent State men's basketball team extended its winning streak at home to 23 in a row after an electric night inside the MAC Center against Malone, 79-58.
The Flashes started the 2023-24 season with a brand new lineup that included, transfer Reggie Bass, former MAC Freshman Player of the Year at Central Michigan. The Flashes fought to find their rhythm leaving the first half with only a three-point lead. Despite the Flashes 12 point lead in the first half, Malone outshot us from the three shooting 38.9 percent to 25 percent. Malone freshman guard, Carter Piatt, shot perfectly from the three helping his team cut the lead to two with 7:40 left in the first half. The Flashes had seven turnovers in the first half, allowing Malone to tie the game at 21 with 7:20 left.
The Flashes turned the game around going into the second half. With a seven-point run 16 minutes into the second half, the Flashes continued to find the net. Four players recorded double digits, including Giovanni Santiago who recorded a game-high 15 points. Sophomore, Delrecco Gillespie recorded a career-high and game-high nine rebounds and added six points.
There were plenty of new faces on the court, including Freshman LA Hayes, Redshirt Junior Mike Bekleja, Redshirt Sophomore Magnus Entenmann, Redshirt Sophomore Brenden Moss, and Graduate Jake Snyder.
Head Coach Rob Senderoff expressed the team struggled in the first half but stated "It's early November Basketball… We have a tough non-conference schedule with really good opponents coming up. This team is different from last year's and there is a lot we need to work on starting tomorrow." On the flip side, Senderoff expressed "The guys played for each other… The bench and everyone was in a good mental place.
Follow the Flashes
Next up, the Golden Flashes return to the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center on Thursday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. against James Madison. Thursday night's game will be a whiteout as fans will help the team celebrate their 2023 MAC Championship.
Tickets for the 2023-24 season are on sale now. For questions regarding ticket information, email athletictickets@kent.edu or call 330-672-4455.
For more information on the men's basketball team, follow Kent State Men's Basketball Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, and visit kentstatesports.com for additional updates.
