Kent State University
5-2,0-0MAC
UC Irvine
7-0,0-0Big West
Gillespie and Sumlin Score Season Highs in Loss to UC Irvine
11/30/2024 1:33:00 AM | Men's Basketball
LETHBRIDGE, Alberta – The Kent State Men's Basketball team dropped their second game of the 2024 Western Slam on Friday evening to UC Irvine by a final score of 51-39. Jamal Sumlin tallied a season and KSU career high in scoring, and Delrecco Gillespie scored a season high.
Both teams were cold to start the game as the Gillespie laid in his first two points to the game at six with 10:09 to play in the first half. He went on to give Kent State their first lead of the ballgame a minute and a half later with his first three-pointer of the season. Jamal Sumlin later also hit his first shot from beyond the arch to bring the game level at 12 with five minutes left in the first. Following another game tying Sumlin jumper, the Anteaters responded with a 9-2 run to take the lead into the break. The lids came off the baskets for both teams to start the second half. Marquis Barnett made a quick five points to close the gap. Despite the Anteaters building a double-digit lead, the Flashes remained energized with Gilliespie and Sullinger continuing to cut into the deficit. The Golden Flashes utilized key defensive stops and hard drives to close the game to seven. The Anteaters ultimately used strong defense in the paint to withstand the late Kent State push.
Gillespie's nine points led the scoresheet. Sumlin and Barnett followed him with seven each. Cli'Ron Hornbeak led the Flashes in rebounding with seven, and VonCameron Davis was second with six.
Kent State will play their final game of the Western Slam on Saturday, Nov. 30 against Kennesaw State University. Tipoff with the Owls is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. eastern time. For more information on Kent State men's basketball, fans can follow the team on X, Instagram and Facebook.
