Kent State University
8-6,1-1MAC
Eastern Michigan University
8-6,1-1MAC
Flashes Fall to EMU in OT
1/6/2024 7:20:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Ypsilanti, MI - The Kent Men's Basketball team (8-6) was defeated by Eastern Michigan on the road in overtime 71-69. The Flashes will look ahead to face Toledo inside the M.A.C. Center on Tuesday, January 9. This is the first time the two teams will meet since the Flashes defeated them in the 2023 MAC Tournament Championship. Tip-off time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET and will be aired on national television on CBS Sports Network.
The Flashes and Eagles battled from the start in a game with five lead changes and four ties. The Flashes began the game with highlighted moments including Chris Payton Jr. and Tyem Freeman who both had slam dunks to get the crowd going. Chris Payton Jr. was vital in the first half for the Flashes giving them a double-digit lead with nine points and two blocks going into the second half. Brenden Moss and Tyem Freeman followed adding seven points in the first 20 minutes.
The Flashes dominated from the field outshooting the Eagles 60 to 40 percent from the field and 55.6 to 14.3 percent from the three. Eastern Michigan would keep fighting going on a 9-3 run with 5:20 left in the first half. The Flashes were able to put some points together and with another dunk from Payton Jr. the Flashes were back on top with a 10-point lead with only one minute left to finish the first half.
The Eagles outshot the Flashes 40 to 28 points in the second half. Orlando Lovejoy made a big contribution to the Eagles' comeback scoring 12 points in the second half and 16 points to finish the game. EMU cut the score to a one-possession game with 8:37 left in regulation after the Flashes had a 17-point lead just minutes before. The Flashes turned the ball over and were unable to get rebounds allowing the Eagles to cut the game to one point with five minutes left. Jalen Sullinger stripped the ball from EMU with 20 seconds left and was fouled to get the Flashes' possession. Tyem Freeman was then fouled and sent to the charity stripe giving the Flashes a 66-63 lead with 16 seconds left. Eagles' Arne Osojnik hit a three with seconds left sending the game into overtime.
Neither team seemed to be able to get points in overtime and were tied at 69 points with only 28.3 seconds left in OT. The only person to score in overtime for the Flashes was Tyem Freeman who hit a three. Payton Jr. missed a second chance layup in the paint with 14 seconds left and the Eagles took advantage getting the defensive rebound and Lovejoy made the layup to end the game in the Eagles' favor.
Follow the Flashes
Next up, the Golden Flashes will be back on the road for their next two MAC games. The Flashes will first head to Central Michigan on Saturday, January 13. Tip-off time is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. ET. Following that the Flashes will head to DeKalb, Ill. to face NIU. Both games 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.
