Kent State University
24-12,11-7MAC
Loyola Chicago
25-11,12-6Atlantic 10
Golden Flashes fall to Loyola Chicago in NIT Quarterfinal
3/26/2025 10:57:00 PM | Men's Basketball
CHICAGO – Kent State Men's Basketball's journey in the 2025 National Invitation Tournament came to a close at Loyola University Chicago on Wednesday night falling in the quarterfinal by a final score of 72-62. Four Flashes dropped double-digits as the Golden Flashes battled the Ramblers into a close first half before LUC pulled away in the second.
The Golden Flashes and Ramblers matched each other basket for basket tied up at 17 early on. Loyola Chicago began to trade the lead with Kent State over the back 10 minutes of the first half. With 2:50 left in the first the Ramblers built their biggest lead up to that point in the game of five points. LUC took a 37-33 lead into the break. Kent State then did their best to keep pace as Loyola Chicago extended their lead with a 23-15 run over the next 10 minutes. Kent State trailed by 19 before they crept back into the game with 3:53 left play trailing by just 12 before a three from Jalen Sullinger cut it to 67-58. The Golden Flashes added pressure until the very end battling as they have all season bringing the score to nine points before ultimately falling by a 10-point final.
Kent State finishes the 2024-2025 season with an overall record of 24-12 having achieved 20 wins or more for the ninth time under Head Coach Rob Senderoff. The Flashes advanced to the quarterfinals of the NIT for the third time in program history (2000, 2011, 2025). The 2024-2025 seniors depart the Kent State program following stellar and decorated careers as Golden Flashes. VonCameron Davis finishes his Kent State career as the all-time leader in games played 142, and the 12th in scoring with 1,347 career points. Jalen Sullinger finishes his senior year third in all-time three-pointers with 244, and 10th all-time in scoring with 1,486 career points. Cli'Ron Hornbeak departs Kent State first in program history in field goal percentage at .627, and seventh in blocks with 105.
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