Kent State University
8-7,1-2MAC
University of Toledo
9-6,3-0MAC
Flashes Fall to the Rockets at Home
1/9/2024 10:12:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Kent, OH - The Kent State Men's Basketball team (8-7) was defeated by Toledo inside the M.A.C. Center 75-89. The Flashes will go on the road for their next two matchups. The Flashes will play Central Michigan on Jan. 13. Tip-off time is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET and will be available on ESPN+.
Kent State started the first half strong with a steal from Julius Rollins that turned into a three-pointer by Chris Payton Jr. With a strong defensive front, the Flashes could hold the Rockets' throughout the first half. Each team was playing aggressively going toe-to-toe to stay ahead of the game. With ten minutes left in the first half, the Rockets were able to take the lead. Tyem Freeman came off the bench for Kent State scoring back-to-back buckets, which included a three-pointer, giving Kent State a lead with eight minutes left in the first half. However, the Golden Flashes began to unfold as the half came to a close as the Rockets hit back-to-back threes, followed by a foul on Kent State which gave the Rockets their biggest lead of the night 27-18 with only six minutes left before halftime. The Rockets came back in the second half leading double digits.
The Flashes came out for the second half energized and determined, despite trailing by 15 points with just under 16 minutes of play left. The Rockets however were not letting up. With multiple fouls on the Golden Flashes, Toledo began taking advantage of the charity stripe, extending the lead by 20 points with 12 minutes left in this matchup. Relentlessly, the Flashes tried closing the gap by going on an 8-0 run with ten minutes left. A deep three-pointer from Jalen Sullinger assisted in closing that gap to just 13 points. Sullinger hit another three and ended his evening with another 20+ game. Chris Payton Jr. and VonCameron Davis both recorded double-digits, but the Rockets had six players record double-digits.
The Rockets outshot the Flashes 58.3 to 45 percent from the field and 58.3 to 42.3 percent from the three. Coach Senderoff expressed "The way Toledo competed showed how badly they wanted this win and they deserved it. As things get tough we have to be tougher. Teams want to beat us and it's been that way since the beginning of the season and we need to respond better."
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.
