Shooting just 28 percent, Kent State’s basketball team’s offense struggled to find its rhythm, falling to Towson 73-58.

“You are not going to win very many games 28 percent from the field,” coach Rob Senderoff said. “We just didn’t play well and come out and play the way we needed to play. Our shot selection needs to improve, and our ability to finish at the rim needs to improve.”

Kent State falls to 4-3 on the year, while Towson improves to 6-3. 

The Flashes’ struggles started early on in the first half, shooting 26 percent and 28 percent behind the arc. They dug themselves an early hole, Towson went on a 19-2 run to start the game, and KSU was behind 43-29 at halftime. 

Towson had the lead for 19:20 of the 20 minutes in the first half, while Kent State did not have a single lead. 

The Tigers shot 60 percent from the distance, and were 17-of-27 in the first half. 

However, KSU wasn’t out of the fight just yet. 

The Flashes went on a 15-3 run midway through the second half bringing them within five points, with the score 61-58 with 5:50 left in the game. 

Kent State did not score again in the game and did not hold a lead the entire game. 

“We knew they were a good team and knew we had to be on point,” Senderoff said. “The fact we started down 19-2 and they had the lead the entire game was very disappointing.”

Along with shooting only 28 percent, KSU shot 25 percent behind the arc for the game and was out rebounded 41-27.

Towson shot 53 percent from the field, and went 12-of-25 on three pointers. 

“We as a group have to do better just in the terms of our physicality and toughness around the basket,” Senderoff said. “And then our mental toughness, not breaking down. We’ve got to have another run in us, and we didn’t.” 

KSU, however, shot very well from the free throw line. The team missed only one free throw attempt, shooting 17-of-18. 

The Flashes had seven assists to the Tigers’ 18. 

Redshirt junior guard Sincere Carry led the Flashes with 17 points, four rebounds, and five assists. 

Carry was the team’s best field goal shooter, despite only going 5-of-13.

Redshirt senior forward Tervell Beck went 0-of-5, redshirt junior guard Malique Jacobs went 3-of-13 and redshirt senior forward Justyn Hamilton went 3-of-12. 

Redshirt sophomore guard Giovanni Santiago added 16 points and two rebounds. 

All 16 of Santiago’s points came in the first half. 

“Maybe I didn’t do a good enough job getting him the ball,” Senderoff said. “Or players didn’t give him enough looks. I don’t know the answer [to why Santiago struggled in the second half].”

“We came back in the second half, cut it to three with other guys scoring and making plays. I don’t think that had much to do with [losing].” 

Kent State will look to bounce back when the team takes on Detroit Mercy (2-6) at the M.A.C. Center on Thursday.

Jacob Hansen is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].