Kent State University
Saint Mary's College
Flashes Head West to Close Out 2023
12/28/2023 10:25:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Moraga, Calif. – The Kent State Men's basketball team heads West to play Saint Mary's College inside UCU Pavilion Friday evening. Tip-off time is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET. The game can be watched on ESPN+ and heard on WHK 1420 AM.
Last time out
The Golden Flashes will look to bounce back from an 84-70 loss against the University of Oregon. The Flashes head into Friday's game 7-4 and will look to wrap up their non-conference play for the 2023-24 season against the Gaels. The Flashes are led by all-conference honorees, Chris Payton Jr. and Jalen Sullinger. Payton Jr. leads the team with 9.1 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, and 1.3 steals while recording three double-doubles. Sullinger averages 15.2 points per game recording double digits in 10 of the Flashes' eleven games including two 20+ point games. The Flashes have a deep bench with several players that contribute to their success including Tyem Freeman who recently recorded a season/team-high 16 points and seven boards. VonCameron Davis has worked his way in and out of the starting lineup who averages double digits. As a whole, the Flashes are in the NCAA top 25 with a 77.1 free throw percentage.
Key Players for Saint Mary's College
The Gaels wrapped up the 2022-23 campaign ranked No.19 in the final AP Poll, and earned a five seed in the NCAA Tournament. The team returns three starters from a year ago, including 2022-23 Kyle Macy and freshman All-American Aiden Mahoney. The Gaels go into Friday's game 8-6 overall and 6-3 at home. The Gaels are currently 21st in the latest Mid-Major Poll. The Gaels are led by Augustas Marciulionis who averages nearly 14 points per game and has collected 31 assists. In their last game, Marciulionis led the Gaels with 17 points and five assists while offense leader Aiden Mahaney added 16. Mitchell Saxen has been another key player for the Gaels as he recently recorded his fourth double-double.
Series Match-up
Friday's game is the sixth matchup between the two teams. The two teams last met in 2011 and the Flashes won 71-70. The Flashes are 2-3 against the Gaels overall and 2-2 inside the University Credit Union Pavilion. The Flashes are 4-11 against opponents in the West Coast Conference. 0-1 vs. BYU, 0-1 vs. Gonzaga, 1-3 vs. Pepperdine, 1-0 vs. Portland, and 0-3 vs. Santa Clara.
Follow the Flashes
MACtion will start inside the M.A.C. Center on Tuesday, January 2 against Ball State. Tip-off time is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Single-game tickets for the non-conference and MAC conference 2023-24 season are on sale now. Season tickets are also available and start at $85. For any 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 on Twitter and Instagram, and visit kentstatesports.com for additional updates.
