Kent State University
13-12,6-6MAC
Northern Illinois University
9-16,3-9MAC
Flashes Earn Third Consecutive MAC Victory at Home
2/17/2024 6:14:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Kent, OH - The Kent State men's basketball team (13-12, 6-6 MAC) returned to action Saturday afternoon (Feb. 17), defeating the Northern Illinois Huskies (9-16, 3-9 MAC), 85-47, inside the M.A.C. Center.
The Flashes shot 55.9 percent from the field, 64.3 percent from the charity stripe, and recorded ten triples. The Huskies were no match for the Golden Flashes, shooting only 34.8 percent from the field, 25 percent from the three, but outperforming the home team shooting 84.6 percent from the free throw line. The Flashes collected 39 rebounds and 18 assists to the Huskies eight.
Individually, Jalen Sullinger and VonCameron Davis finished the afternoon with 17 points, accompanied by Sullinger's seven assists and two steals. Sophomore Reggie Bass never let up, ending the game with 16 points and five rebounds. Cli'Ron Hornbeak was a vital component of the Flashes' defense as he recorded a team-high eight rebounds and three steals. Ethan Butler scored 17 points and grabbed five rebounds for the Huskies while his junior teammate, David Coit, scored 14 points.
Kent State led from the start and never took their foot off the gas. To start the first half, the Flashes got off to an electrifying start with a dunk from Cli'ron Hornbeak. Determined to extend the lead, another dunk was followed by Chris Payton Jr, making the score 20-4. The Flashes had a handle on the game with their double-digit lead not even ten minutes into the first half. Kent State extended their lead to 42-18, its largest of the half, before the Huskies ended the half on an 8-2 run to trim the Golden Flashes lead to 44-26 at the intermission. The Flashes shot 53.1 percent (17-of-32) from the field in the first half, including 7-of-17 (41.2 percent) from three.
The Flashes picked up where they ended the first half recording the first four points of the final 20 minutes of regulation. Davis recorded double-digits in both haves and shot nearly perfect, going 7-of-7 from the field and 2-of-3 from the foul line. Davis has recorded double-digits in every MAC game thus far. The Flashes were able to put a game together from start to finish only allowing the Huskies to record 21 points in the second half while they outshot them with 41 points. Today's victory will be the Flashes' third consecutive win in MAC play.
Follow the Flashes
Next up, the Golden Flashes will be on the road to take on the Bobcats of Ohio University on Tuesday, Feb 20, at 7:00 p.m. The game can be watched on ESPN+. Tickets for the 2023-24 season are on sale now. For questions regarding ticket information, email athletictickets@kent.edu or call 330-672-4455.
