After shooting 31% from three on Sunday, the Kent State men’s basketball team lost to Missouri State (3-1) 56-52.

This was the fewest points the Flashes (3-2) scored in four games. 

The KSU defense stood tall as they forced 19 turnovers, but they struggled to score, shooting 33% from the field and missing 10 of its 23 free throws. 

The Bears shot 7-22 from three and out-rebound the Flashes 51-37. 

In the first half, Missouri State reached a lead of 30-19 with 6:15 remaining. 

Kent State continued to battle despite shots not falling to go into the halftime, trailing 33-27.

After halftime, the Flashes went on a run to bring the game within two, making the score 41-39 with ten minutes left. 

The Bears only needed one minute and fifteen seconds to go on a 7-0 run to build their lead to 48-39. 

Kent State then went on an eight-point run, finishing with a dunk from junior center Cli’Ron Hornbeak to trail 48-47 with two minutes left. 

After two quick scores from Missouri State, the Flashes had to foul to extend the game. 

The Bears made their free throws down the stretch, putting the game away. 

Hornbeak led the Flashes with 11 points, and redshirt sophomore Julius Rollins scored nine.

Kent State still has one more game in the Paradise Jam on Monday. 

They will take on Fordham (2-2) in the third-place game at 5:45 p.m.

Game Notes

• The Rams are coming off their lowest-scoring game of the season (45) and have yet to score 80 or more points in a game. 
• Senior guard Japhet Medor leads Fordham in scoring (12.8 ppg) and assists (2.8 ppg). 
• KSU has four players averaging 10 or more points per game – FU has two.
• The Rams average 16 turnovers per game – the Flashes force over 17.
• From 1997 to 1999, coach Rob Senderoff served as an assistant coach for Fordham. 

Matthew Franos is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected]