Flashes overcome slow start in victory

The Kent State men’s basketball team overcame a slow shooting start at Western Michigan to win 65-47 this afternoon.

The Flashes (10-11, 3-4 Mid-American Conference) fell behind 17-6 midway through the first half thanks to a 0-of-9 shooting start.

A 3-pointer by junior guard Mike McKee cut the lead to eight points, 17-9, and started a hot streak for the Flashes.

After two free throws from Western Michigan, senior forward Julian Sullinger and senior guard Jordan Mincy scored back-to-back baskets to cut the deficit to 19-13. They were the first four points of a 12-1 Kent State run to end the first half.

“We just settled down,” Kent State assistant coach Rob Senderoff told Tom Linder on WNIR 100.1 FM’s postgame show. “(We) continued to get good shots (and) we took care of the ball. Our guys stepped up and made plays.”

Kent State went into halftime with the momentum and a 21-20 lead. Nothing changed coming out of the break.

Sullinger and junior guard Chris Singletary scored a pair of baskets to push the score to 25-20 to start the second half. Senior guard Al Fisher then hit a 3-pointer, followed by two more by junior guard Tyree Evans, and the Flashes found themselves leading 34-24.

Kent State pushed its lead to as much as 20 points before the game ended.

“This is a big win for us, and we’ve now won our last two,” Senderoff said. “We’re not going to take anyone lightly.”

Contact reporter Chris Gates at [email protected].