Jalen Avery led the Golden Flashes in scoring with 17 points, two rebounds, one takeaway, and dished out a team-high five assists. Philip Whittington had his first double-double of the season scoring 11 points and bring down 13 boards, six coming on offense. Junior Antonio Williams had12 points on 5-of-12 shooting (50 percent, seven rebounds, two takeaways, and dished out four assists, while BJ Duling matched him with 12 points coming off the bench. Kent State ended the game with six of its players in double figures.
It was a shaky start to the first half as the Flashes trailed 9-2 after back-to-back forced turnovers by Shawnee State, but the Flashes went on an 8-0 run that put them ahead, 10-9 at the 13 minute mark.
The Flashes fell behind 27-18, but a 3-pointer from Duling and back-to-back steals by the Flashes trimmed the Bear's lead to 27-25. An 11-2 run by Kent State closed out the first half as the Flashes went into the break leading 43-37.
Kent State edged the Bears shooting 18-of-37 (48.6 percent) from the field to Shawnee State's 15-of-34 (44.1 percent). The Flashes outrebounded the Bears 21-17 with 10 offensive rebounds converting 10 second-chance points. KSU also led the half in points off of turnovers as the Flashes scored 15 points off nine Shawnee State turnovers.
Kent State opened the second half on a 12-2 run that increased their lead, 63-47 after back-to-back 3-pointers from Jalen Avery. The Flashes forced nine turnovers in the final half, scoring five points off nine Bear turnovers.
Shawnee State battled the deficit down to 13 with 11 minutes to play, but a layup by Akiean Frederick sent the Flashes offense rolling before a layup by freshman Anthony Roberts gave the Flashes their largest lead of the game, 89-66 with a minute remaining.
Kent State finished the game shooting 37-of-74 from the field (50 percent) and 9-of-18 from 3-point range. Shawnee State finished 26-of-59 (44.1 percent) shooting and 10-of-30 (33.3 percent) from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, the Flashes held the Shawnee State to 4-of 13 from long distance in the second half.
Kent State dominated in fast break points scoring 31 to Shawnee State's 12. The Flashes outrebounded the Bears 43-30 with 19 offensive boards.
The Flashes will are back in action Friday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. at the M.A.C. Center as they take on Liberty.
(Courtesy of KSU Athletics)