Kent State University
3-1,0-0MAC
Cleveland State
1-3,0-0Horizon
Five Flashes Drop Double Digits in Greenbrier Victory over Cleveland State
11/15/2025 5:04:00โฏPM | Men's Basketball
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. โ Kent State Men's Basketball (3-1) posted their third straight win over the Cleveland State University Vikings on Saturday afternoon in their first game of The Greenbrier Tip-Off River Division. A high scoring affair, Kent State was able to outlast their regional rivals to earn their ninth straight victory over the Vikings.
Following a slight delay to adjust the event floor, the game tipped off around 1:20 p.m. Jahari Williamson opened the offense scoring the first 10 points for KSU. He and CSU's Dayan Nessah quicky led their teams with double-digits each. Following an early run and lead by the Vikings, the Golden Flashes responded with a 16-8 run over 4:57 to lead 30-29 with eight minutes left in the first half. The game slowed as the Golden Flashes and Vikings went blow-for-blow and foul-per-foul to close the first 20 minutes. Following a series of hard-fought possessions Kent State took a 44-41 lead into the break. Williamson hadย 19 of his 23ย points in the first half. The second half began even with the Flashes and Vikings going 18-18 in the first eight minutes. With 10:20 to play Cleveland State tied the game 63 all. Kent State battled with cousins Rob Whaley Jr. and Delrecco Gillespie making hard drives to the rim. Gillespie, Williamson, and Medley all make clutch free throws down the stretch as Kent State ultimately had 46 FT attempts. The Blue and Gold out lasted CSU by a 102-95 final. ย
The Box Score Story
Kent State's 46 free throw attempts mark the third in program history for a single game and ended up a difference maker (34-46). The Flashes tallied over 100ย points for the second time in four games in the win and are averaging 98.8 PPG. Five Flashes scored double digits on the way to 102: Gillespie (30), Williamson (23), Whaley Jr. (15) Cian Medley (13), and Morgan Safford (11). Safford is just 13 points away from 1,000 in his college career. Those five Golden Flashes are all averaging double digits per game.
Stright From the Flashes
Delrecco Gillespie with a new career high of 30 points with 12 rebounds has a nation leading four double-doubles in all four games for Kent State. "30 points is good, but most importantly is just pulling out the win.", said Gillespie. "I'm just playing with my motor like I do every game and just trying to do everything to just help the team win."
Jahari Williamson posted a Kent State career high of 23 points which nearly tied his overall career high of 24 (as a freshman at Valparaiso). "Just my coaches believing in me to be honest.", said Williamson. "I always tell people I am just a winner. I just want to win. Whether I have zero points or 30 points doesn't really matter. So just my coaches believing in me and putting me out on the floor."
Up Next
Kent State will continue play in The Greenbrier Tip-Off on Sunday, Nov. 16 at 12:00 p.m. against Wright State University. This will be their second and final game of the event.
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