Through Kent State’s first four games of the season, large scoring runs have proven to be the deciding factor.

In their season opener, the Flashes (3-1) utilized a 15-0 start to runaway with a 69-34 thrashing of Lipscomb.

Their following game against Auburn featured an 11-2 run at the end of regulation to propel the Flashes into overtime where they went on to win 68-64.

Yet against Valparaiso, it was a late run by the Crusaders that doomed the Flashes in the opening round of the Xavier Tournament. Down as many as 13 late in the game, Valparaiso strung together a 13-3 run to close out the second half and send the game into overtime where they handed the Flashes’ their first loss of the season 66-62.

The consolation game against Elon then saw Kent State storm out of the second half for a 12-0 run to erase a 29-24 halftime deficit in winning 57-54.

It’s those scoring runs that Kent State coach Bob Lindsay said he would like to keep Montana State (0-3) from mounting in tomorrow’s non-conference affair.

“I’ve learned that we still need a lot of work through these first four games,” Lindsay said. “I think after playing a few games you pretty much know where you are and what your strengths and weaknesses are. The teams that are more successful later in the season are the ones that understand what their weaknesses are and go out and improve them.”

The Flashes will host the Bobcats tomorrow at the M.A.C. Center, where they haven’t lost in more than a year.

In fact, their last defeat at home occurred a season ago against Wisconsin-Green Bay in a 63-57 loss. So far this season, the Flashes have established a perfect 2-0 record at home, extending their home winning streak to 11-straight games. That’s a trend the team will look to continue when they host an unfamiliar Montana State at 2 p.m. tomorrow.

– Matt Gottfried