The men’s basketball team at Kent State University has impressively rallied in the Mid-American Conference (MAC), securing a thrilling 90-84 overtime victory against Bowling Green on Tuesday after initially beginning the season with a 2-4 record in the conference.
In their previous game against Akron, junior guard Jalen Sullinger had a modest performance, scoring eight points. However, Sullinger made an extraordinary comeback against Bowling Green, scoring an impressive 30 points while shooting 52%. This outstanding performance undoubtedly played a crucial role in the team’s victory.
Redshirt junior Voncameron Davis also delivered an outstanding performance, contributing 21 points and 10 rebounds – marking his first double-double of the season. Additionally, the return of junior Cli’ron Hornbeak from a seven-game absence due to injury further fortified the team, with Hornbeak scoring eight points in the game against Bowling Green.
The game itself was an intense battle, with the first half seeing the Flashes attaining a lead of 28-17 with eight minutes remaining, only to be later caught by Bowling Green to end the half tied at 35-35. Despite a slow start in the second half, the team managed to regain the lead at 52-51 with 12 minutes left, thanks to a crucial layup by graduate student forward Tyem Freeman.
In the final minutes of the game, the Flashes found themselves trailing until redshirt senior Giovanni Santiago’s three-pointer tied the game at 73-73. Although graduate student center Chris Payton missed two free throws that could have secured the win, Bowling Green also failed to capitalize on their opportunities, resulting in the game being pushed into overtime.
In overtime, Kent State dominated the court, securing an 82-76 lead with successful three-pointers from Sullinger and Freeman. The team’s remarkable performance in overtime included shooting 4-of-5 from the field, 2-of-2 from behind the arch, and sinking six free throws. The solid defence from Kent State limited Bowling Green to just three made field goals in the extra period, ultimately clinching the hard-fought victory.
Looking ahead, the Flashes will be returning home for another thrilling conference matchup against Ohio on Friday at 6:30 p.m. Kent State has a strong track record against the Bobcats, having secured four consecutive victories against them and an impressive seven consecutive wins inside the MAC Center (M.A.C.C).
As the team continues to showcase its resilience and strength in the MAC, the victory against Bowling Green serves as a testament to their unwavering determination and skills on the court.
Author: Matt Franos