Cleveland, OH - The Kent State men's basketball team (16-16, 9-10 MAC) upset No.1 Toledo, 67-59, earlier today. With today's win, the Flashes will advance to the semifinals on Friday, March 15. The Flashes will take on No.5 Bowling Green at approximately 5 p.m. ET.
Friday's game will be nationally televised on CBS Sports Network with Chirs Lewis and Mike O'Donnell on the call. The game can also be heard on whK 1420 AM with Rob Polinksy.
The Flashes outshot the Rockets from the field shooting 44.8 percent and from the charity stripe shooting 66.7 percent. Despite the Flashes only going 5-of-23 from the three, they recorded 42 points in the paint.
VonCameron Davis helped secure the Flashes' victory recording a double-double and career-high 26 points and 12 rebounds. Along with Davis' double-digits, Jalen Sullinger recorded 14 points and Giovanni Santiago added 12. Mike Bekelja had himself a day recording a career-high seven rebounds. Dante Maddox had 19 points and nine rebounds for the Rockets, and Tyler Cochran had 14 points and five rebounds.
Despite Toledo coming out on a 7-2 run, Davis scored eight points in a 13-3 run giving the Flashes a 15-10 advantage going into the second media timeout at 10:31. With 4:46 remaining in the first half Toledo was able to take a one-point lead but Giovanni Santiago would hit a clutch three to take back the lead. The Flashes would go into halftime after a 7-0 run to take the lead 28-24 going into the final 20 minutes of the game.
The Flashes came out for the last 20 minutes of regulation just as determined outscoring the Rocketst 7-2 to extend their lead 35-26. Toledo continued to put pressure on the Flashes trimming the lead 40-32 but the Flashes responded with a field goal and a pair of three throws. Kent would end the game going 6-of-8 from the free throw line to seal the victory.
Kent State in the MAC Tournament
The Flashes look to earn their 8th MAC Championship Title. In the MAC Tournament, the Flashes are 47-22 all-time in program history, making 14 Championship game appearances and 21 semifinal appearances. The Flashes against opponents in the MAC Tournament: Akron (4-6), Ball State (3-3), Bowling Green (5-2), Buffalo (4-2), Central Michigan (2-5), Eastern Michigan (3-2), Marshall (3-0), Miami (5-5), NIU (3-0), Ohio (6-5), Toledo (5-1), and Western Michigan (3-2).
Series Matchup
This will be the second meeting among the teams this season. Earlier this season, the Flashes defeated Bowling Green 90-84 in overtime on the road. Despite, Bowling Green leading the all-time series 81-80, the Flashes are on a nine-game winning streak against the Falcons. The Flashes are 5-1 against the Falcons at a neutral site.
2024 MAC Tournament at a Glance
Friday, March 15th, 2024 - Semifinals
Game 5: No. 8 Kent State vs. No.5 Bowling Green, 5 PM ET (CBS Sports Network)
Game 6: Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Winner, 7:30 PM ET (CBS Sports Network)
Saturday, March 16th, 2024 – MAC Championship Game
Game 7: Game 5 Winner vs. Game 6 Winner, 7:30 PM ET (ESPN2)
Follow the Flashes
Tickets for the 2024 MAC Tournament are on sale now. For any questions regarding ticket information, email athletictickets@kent.edu or call 330-672-4455. All ticketing is digital per the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and tickets will be transferred before each game via email. A Rocket Ticket Office representative will be on-site at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse (Cleveland Cliffs entrance -corner of Huron and E 6th) if you need assistance on the day of the game. For assistance with digital tickets, fans can call or text 419.530.4653.
