Kent State University
9-4,0-1MAC
Ball State
7-6,1-0MAC
Sumlin Scores Season High in Loss to Ball State
1/4/2025 4:59:00 PM | Men's Basketball
KENT – The Golden Flashes dropped their Mid-American Conference opener against Ball State on Saturday afternoon by a final score of 75-67. Three different Flashes scored double-digits with Jamal Sumlin racking up a season high 12 points.
The Cardinals took an early advantage going on an 11-2 run in the opening five minutes. Kent State utilized keys stops on defense as they began to close the gap. Going on a run themselves, Anthony Morales and Jalen Sullinger began a hot streak for KSU taking the lead with back-to-back threes. Despite Kent State leading by four with just under five minutes to play, Ball State went on a 10-3 run to close the half taking a lead into the break. The Golden Flashes kept pace with the Cardinals to open the second half with Ball State keeping just in front. With 10:01 left to play in the second half Sumlin and Sullinger combined for two straight Flash layups following turnovers from both teams. Despite taking a brief lead at the 7:39 mark, Ball State quickly retook and extended it. The Cardinals ultimately departed Kent State with an eight-point win.
Sumlin's 12 points were a career high for the redshirt sophomore from Cleveland, Ohio surpassing his previous of 10. VonCameron Davis' 20 points marked double-digit performance number 11 for the 2024-2025 season thus far, and his second most points scored. Sullinger's 10 points were marked his seventh double-digit game of the season, and his second in a row. Delrecco Gillespie and Cli'Ron Hornbeak each pulled in five rebounds.
Kent State will be back in action on Tuesday, Jan. 7 continuing MAC play on the road at Northern Illinois University. The Flashes and Huskies are scheduled to tipoff at 7:00 p.m. eastern time. For more information on Kent State men's basketball, fans can follow the team on X, Instagram and Facebook.
