Kent State University
13-13,6-7MAC
Ohio University
14-12,8-5MAC
Flashes Fall Short on the Road to the Bobcats
2/20/2024 10:19:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Athens, OH - The Kent State men's basketball team (13-13, 6-7 MAC) returned to action Tuesday evening (Feb.20) on the road falling to the Ohio Bobcats 57-63. This was Ohio's first season sweep against Kent since 2013.
The Flashes shot 31.7 percent from the field, 75 percent from the charity stripe, and recorded eight triples. The Bobcats barely outshot the Flashes shooting 35.4 percent from the field, 34.8 percent from the three, and 87.5 percent from the foul line. Kent State collected 38 boards to the Bobcats 36 and recorded 22 points inside the paint.
VonCameron Davis and Jalen Sullinger would once again lead the Flashes with 14 points each. Giovanni Santiago led the game with four assists and Chris Payton Jr. would lead the Flashes with six boards. Almost every player that stepped on the court, besides one, would score points in tonight's game including 17 points off the bench.
Mike Bekelja started the game with a triple to get the game started but it wouldn't take the Bobcats long to match that three. Both teams played hard defense preventing either team from creating a large gap in the score. The Flashes and Bobcats traded baskets causing six lead changes and four ties in the first 20 minutes. The teams stayed within a basket of each other and would soon hit a scoring drought for nearly two minutes but the Bobcats took advantage at the foul line to end the scoreless streak. The Flashes would soon find the basket to create their biggest lead of the half with eight points and 4:55 left. With less than a minute left the Bobcats made the game a three-point possession but Jalen Sullinger would hit another three to send the Flashes up 33-27 at half.
The Flashes began the second half with possession of the ball, but the Bobcats would hit a three-point basket to make the score 33-30. The second half started a lot like the first, trading baskets and the Flashes barely hanging on to the lead. The Bobcats took the lead for the first time in the second half with foul shots made by Jaylin Hunter and Aidan Hardway. Miles Brown would keep the momentum by knocking down a three-point jumper before Ohio called a timeout with less than two minutes remaining in regulation time.
Kent State struggled with fouls and the Bobcats took advantage going 16-of-18 in the second half. With 1:02 left the Bobcats led by four points, but Sullinger hit a three to make it a one-point game with 45.8 seconds left. Unfortunately, the Bobcats would hit a triple themselves and sent Hardway back to the foul line to seal their victory inside the Convocation Center.
Follow the Flashes
Next up, the Golden Flashes will head down the road for the anticipated matchup against Akron on Friday, Feb. 23. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET. The matchup between the two teams will be another nationally televised game on CBS Sports Network. Tickets for the 2023-24 season are on sale now. For questions regarding ticket information, email athletictickets@kent.edu or call 330-672-4455.
