Kent State University
8-8,1-3MAC
Central Michigan University
8-8,3-1MAC
Flashes Fall to the Chippewas
1/13/2024 4:48:00 PM | Men's Basketball
MOUNT PLEASANT, MI - The Kent State Men's Basketball team (8-8) was defeated by Central Michigan on the road 77-62. The Flashes will head to Northern Illinois before returning home to face NIU on Tuesday, Jan. 16. Tip-off time is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. and will be available on ESPN+.
Kent State started another new lineup, including Mike Bekelja, who made his first start with the Flashes. The Flashes started off playing strong defense and competing for buckets. Reggie Bass hit a three to give the Flashes a 5-0 lead to start the game. Despite the Flashes having an 11-3 lead with 13:48 minutes left in the first 20 minutes, Central Michigan answered hitting a three and taking advantage of a turnover on the Flashes making it a two-point game. The first half consisted of two ties and two lead changes. The Chippewas continue to put pressure on the Flashes only trailing by four points in the final 20 minutes. VonCameron Davis led the first half with 12 points and Jalen Sullinger followed with 11.
The second half was a back-and-forth game that had seven lead changes and three ties. The Flashes struggled to put points on the board and the Chippewas took advantage at the charity stripe shooting 80 percent in the final 20 minutes. The Flashes recorded only 13 rebounds while the Chippewas put up 22 boards in the second half. With 8:27 left in regulation, the Chippewas used a turnover on the Flashes to get their biggest lead thus far 61-54.
VonCameron Davis was just shy of a career-high leading the game with 20 points and two steals while adding five boards. Jalen Sullinger was the only other Flash to record double-digits with 17 points and a team-high five assists. As a whole, the Flashes were outshot by 31.8 percent to 56.6 percent from the field and 64.3 percent to 80 percent from the foul line.
Follow the Flashes
Next up, the Golden Flashes will head to Northern Illinois to play NIU on Tuesday, Jan. 16. Tip-off time is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET and will be available on ESPN+. Following their game against NIU, the Flashes will return to the M.A.C. Center for a rival matchup with Akron on Friday, Jan. 19. Tip-off time is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. 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.
