KENT, Ohio – Kent State (6-6) took down a Power 5 opponent for the second straight year, defeating the Oregon State Beavers (8-4) at home Thursday, 79-78.
The Golden Flashes (6-6) were led by Jaylin Walker's 25 points and five rebounds. He also tallied three assists and three steals.
Jalen Avery scored 17 points . . .
The Golden Flashes (6-6) were led by Jaylin Walker's 25 points and five rebounds. He also tallied three assists and three steals.
Jalen Avery scored 17 points . . .
. . . on 5-for-8 shooting, including a line of 4-for-6 from 3-point range. He also added three assists. Both starting guards were one point short of their respective season highs. Adonis De La Rosa and Mitch Peterson each had a team-best seven rebounds.
"I thought our guys really competed at a high, high level and stuck together for 40 minutes," said head coach Rob Senderoff. "When we do that we have a good team. We showed it tonight and have to keep doing it. Tonight I couldn't be more proud to coach these guys."
The win followed last year's 63-58 win at Texas and is the fourth win over a Power 5 school since Rob Senderoff became head coach. Previous Flash teams under Senderoff have defeated West Virginia and Nebraska.
"Thank you to Coach Tinkle for giving us the opportunity to play in a two-for-one against them," noted Senderoff. "We go back there again next year. We call a lot of Power 5 schools to get them to come into our building and it's very rare we get someone to say yes."
The game was close throughout and within single digits for 40 minutes. While each team scored in bunches in the second half, the first period was marked by strong defense.
Oregon State opened up a quick 6-2 lead and held the advantage for the majority of the first half. However, the Beavers could not run away with the contest. Oregon State's best run came with Kent State leading 16-13, in which the Beavers went on a 15-5 run to create their biggest advantage of the game. Down by seven, Kent State finished the half on a six-point run to enter the locker room down, 28-27.
The Flashes opened up the second half by stretching their run to eight on a De La Rosa layup that gave Kent State the lead.
The two teams traded baskets before the Flash offense caught fire, going on a 9-0 run that put the home team up, 46-41. From there, the Flashes stayed locked in and made eight of their next 13 shots.
Oregon State began to heat up from the floor, but the Flashes forced six turnovers to help build a 68-59 advantage with 1:27 left, their largest lead of the game.
Up nine with less than 90 seconds remaining, Oregon State began to rain 3-pointers to stay in the game until the end. The Beavers made their last five shots, including four 3-pointers. However, Kent State held them off by shooting 11-for-14 from the foul line. Down by four points on the final possession, Oregon State scored a 3-pointer to beat the buzzer and seal the final score.
Overall, Kent State shot 39.3 percent (22-for-56) from the floor and 40 percent (10-for-25) from deep. The Flashes made 25 of 32 free throw attempts.
Oregon State shot 41.8 percent from the floor but was held to 2-for-19 from 3-point range until the final minute. Kent State had fewer turnovers than Oregon State, 16-19.
Kevin Zabo kept up his strong play, scoring 12 points off the bench with three assists and two steals. Danny Pippen returned to action, logging nine points, four boards and a block. Desmond Ridenour and Akiean Frederick each had three points and combined for nine rebounds.
Kent State will finish non-conference play on Dec. 28 at Albany.
(Courtesy of KSU Athletics)
"I thought our guys really competed at a high, high level and stuck together for 40 minutes," said head coach Rob Senderoff. "When we do that we have a good team. We showed it tonight and have to keep doing it. Tonight I couldn't be more proud to coach these guys."
The win followed last year's 63-58 win at Texas and is the fourth win over a Power 5 school since Rob Senderoff became head coach. Previous Flash teams under Senderoff have defeated West Virginia and Nebraska.
"Thank you to Coach Tinkle for giving us the opportunity to play in a two-for-one against them," noted Senderoff. "We go back there again next year. We call a lot of Power 5 schools to get them to come into our building and it's very rare we get someone to say yes."
The game was close throughout and within single digits for 40 minutes. While each team scored in bunches in the second half, the first period was marked by strong defense.
Oregon State opened up a quick 6-2 lead and held the advantage for the majority of the first half. However, the Beavers could not run away with the contest. Oregon State's best run came with Kent State leading 16-13, in which the Beavers went on a 15-5 run to create their biggest advantage of the game. Down by seven, Kent State finished the half on a six-point run to enter the locker room down, 28-27.
The Flashes opened up the second half by stretching their run to eight on a De La Rosa layup that gave Kent State the lead.
The two teams traded baskets before the Flash offense caught fire, going on a 9-0 run that put the home team up, 46-41. From there, the Flashes stayed locked in and made eight of their next 13 shots.
Oregon State began to heat up from the floor, but the Flashes forced six turnovers to help build a 68-59 advantage with 1:27 left, their largest lead of the game.
Up nine with less than 90 seconds remaining, Oregon State began to rain 3-pointers to stay in the game until the end. The Beavers made their last five shots, including four 3-pointers. However, Kent State held them off by shooting 11-for-14 from the foul line. Down by four points on the final possession, Oregon State scored a 3-pointer to beat the buzzer and seal the final score.
Overall, Kent State shot 39.3 percent (22-for-56) from the floor and 40 percent (10-for-25) from deep. The Flashes made 25 of 32 free throw attempts.
Oregon State shot 41.8 percent from the floor but was held to 2-for-19 from 3-point range until the final minute. Kent State had fewer turnovers than Oregon State, 16-19.
Kevin Zabo kept up his strong play, scoring 12 points off the bench with three assists and two steals. Danny Pippen returned to action, logging nine points, four boards and a block. Desmond Ridenour and Akiean Frederick each had three points and combined for nine rebounds.
Kent State will finish non-conference play on Dec. 28 at Albany.
(Courtesy of KSU Athletics)
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