Kent State University
6-2,0-0MAC
Kennesaw State
6-3,0-0CUSA
Kent State Closes Out Western Slam With 67-60 Win Over Kennesaw State
11/30/2024 10:46:00 PM | Men's Basketball
LETHBRIDGE, Alberta – The Kent State Men's Basketball team concluded play in the Western Slam multi-team event on Saturday evening defeating Kennesaw State 67-60. Four Flashes racked up double-digits in the ballgame.
Delrecco Gillespie, Marquis Barnett, Jalen Sullinger provided an early spark to get Kent State going in response to an early lead from the Owls. With under six minutes to play in the first, Morgan Safford got going hitting a three and a pair of free throws. Cli'Ron Hornbeak then extended the lead with a turnaround layup. Kennesaw State used a 7-2 run to tie the game at 29. Sullinger and Barnett built the Kent State lead back to six by the break. VonCameron Davis made his presence felt early in the second half. With just over five minutes to play Kennesaw State took their first lead of the second half on free throws. Davis quickly recaptured it for Kent State. He and Safford drew key fouls in the closing minutes on defense making Kennesaw State pay at the stripe. With 44 seconds left to play, the shot clock went out causing a pause before the game resumed with verbal calls for the rest of the game. Kent State built the lead back to seven before the final horn.
With the win, Head Coach Rob Senderoff has reached 270 wins all-time at Kent State. On the scoresheet, Davis led the squad at 16. Safford, Sullinger, and Barnett all tallied 13 with Barnett tallying a season and KSU career high. Sullinger is five points away from 1,000 in his Kent State career. Gillespie had another solid night in the Slam scoring eight points and seven rebounds. He tied Safford in rebounds. As a team the Flashes continued drawing on their strength at the free throw line shooting 78.8%. Kent State departs Canada holding a 2-1 record outside US soil.
The Golden Flashes will be back in action on Dec. 6 as they return to the M.A.C. Center to host the University of Portland Pilots. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. For more information on Kent State men's basketball, fans can follow the team on X, Instagram and Facebook.
