Kent State University
1-0,0-0MAC
Louisiana
0-1,0-0Sun Belt
Flashes Cool Down Cajuns to Open 2024-2025 Season
11/4/2024 11:15:00 PM | Men's Basketball
LAFAYETTE, La. – The Kent State Men's Basketball team opened the 2024-2025 season with 70-66 win over the Ragin' Cajuns of the University of Louisiana Lafayette on Monday night. The victory was one of four for the Mid-American Conference to start the the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge on Nov. 4.
Kent State got out to a slow start as UL went on a 10-0 run in the opening seven minutes. VonCameron Davis got the Flashes on the board with a pair of free throws. Providing an early spark off the bench, Jamal Sumlin made a pair of jumpers and Jalen Sullinger hit the first triple for Kent State cut the deficit to three. Following some mid-half defensive stops, Cian Medley hit a left side three bringing the game within four points. With 3:07 left in the first half Magnus Entenmann gave Kent State their first lead of the season with his second putback layup in as many trips making it 26-24. Four points from Morgan Safford allowed KSU to take a 30-27 lead into the break.
The Golden Flashes and Ragin' Cajuns traded blows to open the second half. The Flashes took a brief lead at the 14:07 minute mark with jumpers from Medley and Marquis Barnett. Louisiana responded with a pair of threes to take a four-point lead shortly after. With just under 10 minutes to play, Anthony Morales drained a long three that was followed up with a driving layup by Davis. He made the free-throw following offsetting technical fouls. Safford gave the lead back to KSU with 4:30 left to play. The Flashes and Cajuns exchanged the lead down the stretch with KSU pushing the lead to as much as six. Key buckets from Sullinger and Safford allowed Kent State to hang on for the 70-66 win.
Davis led the Flashes in scoring with 17. 13 of those points came from the charity stripe. Newcomer Safford dropped 13 with a pair of three-pointers and led KSU in rebounds with nine. The third double-digit scorer was Cian Medley with 11. Cli'Ron Hornbeak was second on the roster in rebounds hauling in five. As a team Kent State shot 78.6% for the line in their first outing of the season.
Follow the Flashes
The Golden Flashes continue to their home opener this Friday, Nov. 8 at 7:00 p.m. in the M.A.C. Center against Miami University-Hamilton.
Tickets for the 2024-25 season are on sale now. Season tickets are also available and start at $85. For any questions regarding ticket information, email athletictickets@kent.edu or call 330-672-4455. For more information on Kent State men's basketball, fans can follow the team on X, Instagram and Facebook.
