The Kent State Golden Flashes (24-8, 14-4) outscored the Ohio Bobcats (15-17, 9-9) 86-75 in the final game of the quarterfinal round of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) tournament in Rocket Arena.
“Okay, so this was a MAC tournament win for us,” said head coach Rob Senderoff. “We came out at the start of the second half and really played the way we need to play. Extended the lead, and, you know, we held on there at the end.”
From the jump, both the Bobcats and Golden Flashes could not get into a rhythm offensively, with the score reading 6-5 in favor of OU after reaching the first media timeout of the game.
At that point in the game, Ohio was shooting 37.5% from the field, while Kent State connected on only 16.7% of its shots early on.
Pressing forward, both teams began to settle in, exchanging baskets back and forth, resulting in a logjam at 26 apiece, having surpassed another media timeout.
Redshirt junior forward Javen Simmons and senior forward Aiden Hadaway combined for 20 points, which led all Bobcat players in scoring, and contributed to OU’s 52.4% field goal percentage midway through the first half.
Hadaway’s offensive surge mounted after connecting on back-to-back possessions for the Bobcats, navigating Ohio to a 32-28 lead, which forced Kent State’s head coach Rob Senderoff to use a timeout.
With that being said, the Golden Flashes fought right back and entered halftime in the driver’s seat with a 40-38 lead. Graduate student Morgan Safford spearheaded the Golden Flashes with a game-high 10 points off 4-6 shooting, including 2-3 of his 3-point shots taken heading into intermission.
Entering the third period, Kent State’s advantage increased as the Golden Flashes emerged with shot after shot from the field, registering a 66.7% shooting clip, pacing a 57-45 lead over OU upon hitting the second media break of the second half.
Progressing through the third quarter, Safford extended Kent State’s lead to 69-54 with eight minutes to go in the second half, with the Golden Flashes running away with the game.
Having said that, the Bobcats would not crumble, crawling their way back within five points, while Kent State led 75-70. OU continued to rely on the shoulders of Simmons and Hadawy, who each reached over 20 points with three minutes to go in the contest.
Despite making one final push, the Bobcats couldn’t manage to stop the Golden Flashes during the final minutes of the game, whereas Kent State hung on to win by a final of 86-75.
Kent State thrived on offense, concluding the night with a 47.5% field goal percentage and 35% conversion rate behind the arc. In addition, the Golden Flashes recorded 16 assists, which significantly impacted their offense.
Lastly, the Golden Flashes were spectacular in maintaining possession of the basketball throughout the course of the outing, with Kent State totaling five turnovers on the night. Meanwhile, the Bobcats coughed the ball over to the Golden Flashes a total of 12 times.
During the postgame press conference, Senderoff was asked about how the Golden Flashes managed to maintain possession after possession without turning the ball over to Ohio.
“I mean, it’s a focus every game,” said Senderoff. “We were not always successful at it, but you know, that was a huge key for us being able to win tonight, and who we took care of the ball at an elite level to only have five turnovers.”
With the Golden Flashes winning tonight, they are set to face the Akron Zips tomorrow during the semifinal round of the MAC Conference.
