Kent State University
17-16,8-10MAC
Bowling Green
20-13,10-8MAC
Flashes Advance to the MAC Tournament Championship Game to Face Rival Akron
3/15/2024 10:33:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Cleveland, OH - The Kent State men's basketball team (17-16, 10-10 MAC) will return to the MAC Tournament Championship game for the third straight year after their 73-60 victory over No.5 seed Bowling Green earlier today. The Flashes will look to defend their 2022-23 MAC Tournament Championship Title.
The Flashes will take on No.2 seed and rival, Akron, on Saturday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m. ET. Saturday's game will be live on ESPN2 with play-by-play talent Eric Rothman and Analyst Mark Adams. The game can also be heard on ESPN Cleveland with Rob Polinksy.
The Flashes outshot the Falcons from the field shooting 51 percent and 66.7 percent from the three. Kent State collected 33 boards while the Falcons recorded 29.
Both Giovanni Santiago and Jalen Sullinger helped secure the Flashes' victory with 20+ points each. Cli'Ron Hornbeak was solid defensively recording a game-high nine boards. Marcus Hill had 22 points and six boards for the Falcons, and Rashaun Agee had 15 points and seven rebounds.
The Rockets started the game right away going on a 5-0 run before Mike Bekelja put the Flashes on the board with a three. Both teams continued to trade buckets but with a three from Giovanni Santiago, the Flashes only trailed by one. Both teams were strong defensively, making points hard to come by. The Flashes took advantage at the three shooting 70 percent in the first 20 minutes. In the last seven minutes of the first half, the Flashes would take advantage of Bowling Green's scoring drought and go an 8-0 to help the Flashes go into the final 20 minutes up 34-28.
The Flashes started the second half with the same energy as Mike Bekelja hit a field goal. Santiago continued to be a key component for the Flashes' offense after getting a steal and hitting a three to take the lead by nine points. The Flashes continued to hold onto the lead for the final 20 minutes. Santiago and Sullinger both recorded 11 points in the final half to help secure the Flashes' victory.
Kent State in the MAC Tournament
The Flashes look to earn their 8th MAC Championship Title. In the MAC Tournament, the Flashes are 48-22 all-time in program history, making 14 Championship game appearances and 22 semifinal appearances. The Flashes against opponents in the MAC Tournament: Akron (4-6), Ball State (3-3), Bowling Green (5-2), Buffalo (4-2), Central Michigan (2-5), Eastern Michigan (3-2), Marshall (3-0), Miami (5-5), NIU (3-0), Ohio (6-5), Bowling Green (6-2), Toledo (5-1), and Western Michigan (3-2).
Series Matchup
This will be the third meeting among the teams this season. The Zips took both games in the regular season. The Flashes hold onto the all-time series by one game 82-81. The Zips take the neutral record 9-2 and lead the all-time series in the MAC Tournament 6-4. The teams split MAC title games 2-2. The last time the two teams met in the MAC Tournament Championship was in the 2021-22 season.
2024 MAC Tournament at a Glance
Saturday, March 16th, 2024 – MAC Championship Game
Game 7: No.8 Kent State vs. No. 2 Akron, 7:30 PM ET (ESPN2)
Follow the Flashes
Tickets for the 2024 MAC Tournament are on sale now. For any questions regarding ticket information, email athletictickets@kent.edu or call 330-672-4455. All ticketing is digital per the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and tickets will be transferred before each game via email. A Rocket Ticket Office representative will be on-site at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse (Cleveland Cliffs entrance -corner of Huron and E 6th) if you need assistance on the day of the game. For assistance with digital tickets, fans can call or text 419.530.4653
