After losing back-to-back games, the Kent State men’s basketball team bounced back behind junior guard Jalen Sullinger’s second 30-point game of the season.

The Flashes (14-14, 7-8) got back to .500, defeating Buffalo 76-64 inside the M.A.C. Center Tuesday. 

“Great win for us, Jalen’s shot making was awesome,” coach Rob Senderoff said. “Takeaway the last two minutes we did a great job the entire 38 minutes defensively.”

Sullinger’s eight three-pointers are the third most in a game in KSU history.

“I was just getting good looks, and everyone was finding me,” Sullinger said. “I stay in the gym so an open look is a good look for me.”

The Flashes were coming off a loss to rival Akron last Friday, leaving them in the eighth spot in the Mid-American Conference. 

Kent State played without starting center junior Cli’ron Hornbeak, who is day-to-day with a foot injury, and the team is hopeful he can return for their next game. 

The Bulls (4-24, 2-13) started the game hot behind Isaiah Adams, scoring seven points to give his team a 9-4 lead after five minutes.

The Flashes then turned up the defense, forcing six turnovers and making three shots from behind the arc to take the lead 22-21 with nine minutes remaining.

Both teams traded baskets until senior forward VonCameron Davis scored a layup and then recorded a steal before going coast-to-coast for an and-one, giving Kent State a 32-27 lead with four minutes remaining in the half. 

Kent State then tormented Buffalo on both sides of the ball for the remainder of the half going on a 7-0 run to lead 39-27 heading into the locker room.

Sullinger led the Flashes with 16 points, including four three-pointers. Davis followed him, scoring 13 points and tallying two steals in the half.

Kent State shot 50% from the field and 42% from three, while the Bulls shot 46% from the field and 43% from three. Kent State made the difference by forcing 12 turnovers in the half and outscoring Buffalo 22-8 in the paint. 

Davis credited associate head coach Julian Sullinger for taking control inside the paint.

“He definitely made an emphasis of being physical in the paint and making sure we finish plays down there,” Davis said. 

In the second half, the Flashes continued to dominate the paint, increasing their lead to 56-42 with eleven minutes remaining. All but one field goal for Kent State was in the paint at this point in the half.

The Bulls then outscored the Flashes 9-8 over the next four minutes to inch closer, 62-51.

Kent State began to pull away behind three three-pointers from Sullinger and five points from graduate forward Chris Payton to build a 76-53 lead with four minutes left. 

The Flashes remained in control for the rest of the way to close out the game 76-64.

Kent State forced 18 turnovers while only turning it over eight times. The Flashes scored 22 of their points off those turnovers. 

“We created turnovers and took care of the basketball,” Senderoff said. “Gio, as a point guard, had seven assists and one turnover and everybody contributed.”

Senior guard Giovanni Santiago had seven assists at point guard, while Davis finished with 17 points and sophomore forward Magnus Entennman scored 10 points along with six rebounds.

“Magnus was fantastic, and we would not have won tonight without what he provided to the team,” Senderoff said.

Next up, Kent State will remain at home for senior day to welcome Central Michigan (16-11, 10-4) at 3:30 p.m Saturday.

“We are just trying to position ourselves as best we can to get to Cleveland,” Senderoff said. “But we just have to maintain focus on the game that’s right in front of us.”

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