Kent State University
7-5,0-0MAC
Saint Mary's College
9-6,0-0WCC
Flashes Fell to the Gaels Inside UCU Pavilion
12/29/2023 10:55:00 PM | Men's Basketball
MORAGA, Calif. -The Flashes fell to Saint Mary's College 66-46 Friday evening. The Flashes will look ahead to start MACtion inside the M.A.C. Center on Tuesday, Jan. 2. The Flashes will host Ball State for Healthcare Appreciation Night. Tip-off time is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
Both teams came out with a lot of energy keeping the score tight for the first several minutes. Transfer graduate Tyem Freeman worked himself into the Flashes' starting lineup for the first time. Giovanni Santiago led the first half shooting perfectly from the three in the first half recording 8 points. Despite a close score, the Gaels took advantage of the Flashes' fouls going on a 12-point run, leaving the Flashes scoreless for several minutes. The Gaels went into the final 20 minutes with two players in double-digits leading 39-19.
The Flashes' went deep into the bench with two players injured and players getting into foul trouble. Magnus Entenmann and Mike Bekelja both made an appearance for the Flashes in the final minutes of the game. Unfortunately, the Flashes' bench could only produce seven points while the Gaels' bench recorded 25. Chris Payton Jr. led the Flashes with 18 points and six boards shooting 50 percent from the field and 80 percent from the charity stripe. Santiago followed with 10 points and two assists.
This is the first time this season that the Flashes recorded less than 50 points in a game and only had two players in double-digits. The Flashes held the Gaels to 27 points in the final 20 minutes but could not offensively produce to take the lead. The Flashes' were outshot 52.8 to 30.4 percent from the field and outrebounded 43 to 22.
Follow the Flashes
Next up, the Golden Flashes will return to the M.A.C. Center to host their first MACtion game of the season with Ball State on Tuesday, January 2. Tip-off time is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. The game will be available on ESPN+ and can be heard on ESPN Cleveland. 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 on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and visit kentstatesports.com for additional updates.
