Kent State University
3-1,0-0MAC
Niagara
1-4,0-0MAAC
Flashes Outlast Niagara in Thursday Night Thriller
11/21/2024 10:08:00 PM | Men's Basketball
KENT – The Golden Flashes Men's Basketball team bested the Niagara University Purple Eagles on Thursday evening by a final score of 76-73. VonCameron Davis and Morgan Safford traded the roster scoring lead with key buckets down the stretch.
Niagara built a slight lead in the first seven minutes before Kent State took advantage of some defensive breakdowns from Niagara. Anthony Morales helped KSU extend the lead with a pair of three-pointers, as did Jalen Sullinger with a three and key assists. Kent State led by 12 points at the half. Despite trailing by as much as 19 in the first half, NU chipped away at the Kent State lead throughout the second. Delrecco Gillespie made his presence known in the final 12 minutes as several Flashes got into foul trouble. The difference in the final score came down to great free throw shooting by the Flashes in the closing minutes. The final 8:35 of the game saw Davis, Safford, Sullinger, and Mike Bekelja combine for 15 points on free throws. With three seconds left Niagara attempted half-court three that was off target allowing the Golden Flashes to prevail.
Kent State shot 86.4% from the charity stripe going 19-22. Four different Flashes found themselves in double-digits on the scoresheet. Safford led with 17, Davis scored 15, and Sullinger and Morales had 10 respectively. This was the first double-digit performance for Morales in the blue and gold. Cian Medley led KSU in assists with four.
Kent State is back in action on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 7:00 p.m. on the road at Cleveland State University. For more information on Kent State men's basketball, fans can follow the team on X, Instagram and Facebook.
