The story of the game was Kent State outscoring the Broncos 53-27 in the second half. Kent State was led . . .
Western Michigan, which shot 39.2 percent overall and made just 4-of-21 (19.0%) from outside the arc, had just one player score in double figures. B. Artis White tallied 12 points, with six of those coming on treys. Greg Lee and Jason Shitens combined for 17 points.
Kent State struggled across the board in the first half, turning the ball over nine times and forcing only two steals. Despite coming back from a nine-point deficit of 22-13, the Flashes shot 37.9 percent from the floor and only 25 percent (4-of-16) from long range.
A three-pointer from Santiago ignited a 14-3 scoring run that put the Flashes ahead, 27-24, before the Broncos tied the score at 27-all headed into the break.
However, the Flashes came out of the locker room hot and never looked back. Kent State converted on five three-point field goal shots and dominated on the glass on both sides.
Nuga could not be stopped in the second half, where he scored 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting while also securing four rebounds. Kent State would outscore the Broncos, 27-6 in the final six minutes of the game en route to the 80-54 victory.
For the game, the Flashes shot 33-of-66 (50 percent) from the floor and 9-of-31 (29 percent) from beyond the arc. The Flashes won the battle of the boards, 37-28. Kent State dominated the paint scoring 44 points to the Broncos' 24.
(KSU Athletics/MRO Edit)