 KENT STATE 76, LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE 67
Senior guard Michael Porrini and junior guard Randal Holt each had 15 points to pace four players in double figures for the Golden Flashes, but it was the defensive effort down the stretch that proved to be the difference maker. Kent State (3-1) held Louisiana (3-5) without a field goal and to only a single free throw the final 5:24 as the Golden Flashes closed out the victory with a 12-1 spurt.
Any hangover from last Tuesday’s loss to Cleveland State seemed to be put to rest early on for Kent State. The Golden Flashes hit their first two three-pointers of the game and later took control in the first half with a 10-0 run that opened up a 21-13 lead at the 7:58 mark. Despite the margin falling to six (36-30) at halftime, things still looked very much in hand for Kent State.
The Ragin’ Cajuns seemed to have other ideas, however, using an 11-0 second half run, capped off by a Kadeem Coleby lay-up to grab a 50-45 lead with 12:02 remaining. Coleby went on to finish his night with a game-high 19 points.
Kent State could not regain the lead until Porrini scored five straight, hitting two free throws to tie the game and a three-pointer from the left corner for a 64-61 lead with 6:14 left to go. Porrini, who was 4-8 from the field and 6-7 from the foul line, added five rebounds, six assists, three steals and had one key block on a fast break with less than four minutes on the clock.
Louisiana answered back with five quick points and retook a 66-64 lead on a Coleby dunk. That was the last field goal of the game for them, however, as Kent State forced the Ragin’ Cajuns into five misses from the field and five turnovers the final 5:24.
With the defense taking care of business on one end, Holt, who came off the bench, delivered the go-ahead three, his third of the game, at 4:26. Senior guard Carlton Guyton then added the dagger, hitting a deep three with the shot clock winding down at 1:04 for a 72-66 lead.
Gutyon, who also came off the bench, closed out the game with 12 points ,while senior forward Justin Greene rounded out the double figure scorers with 14 points and a game-high eight rebounds.
The busy three-game week continues at home on Thursday as the Golden Flashes play host to Morehead State at 7:00 pm.
Courtesy of Kent State Athletics
NOTEBOOK
• Freshman Devareaux Manley made the first three-point attempt of the night for Kent State extending the Golden Flashes streak to 400 consecutive games with a made three-point field goal. Streak started second game of the 1999-00 season vs Wis.-Parkside (Nov. 29) after an 0-9 performance vs Youngstown State the game before.
• Kent State has out scored all four opponents in the second half this season
• Third time Kent State has had four players score in double figures this season (3-0)
• Kent State held Louisiana without a field goal and just one foul shot the final 5:24 of the game.
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