 KENT STATE 71, JAMES MADISON 51 Playing back in his home state, junior forward Chris Evans led five players in double figures with a career-high 17 points, including 10 in a pivotal stretch as Kent State blitzed James Madison with a 24-5 second half run to take over the game. Evans also added seven rebounds and three steals while shooting 6-12 from the field.
The Golden Flashes mishandled and threw the ball away throughout the first 22 minutes of the game, committing 15 turnovers ,which allowed the Dukes to build a nine-point 37-28 lead. An offensive rebound and put-back lay-up by senior guard Michael Porrini, followed by two consecutive baseline dunks from Patrick Jackson kick started the decisive stretch that lasted just over seven minutes.
Whiles the offense started stringing together a few makes,it was the defense that snatched the lead away. During the decisive run, Kent State forced James Madison to shoot just 2-14 from the field. The Dukes entered the game averaging a Colonial Athletic Association best 75.0 points and 9.8 three-point field goals made per game coming in, but the Golden Flashes held them to a season low 51 points and a mere 6-23 (26.1 percent) from the field.
Kent State shot 63.0 percent and held a 19-12 edge in rebounding in the second half. Following the run, the Golden Flashes never led by less than eight points the rest of the way.
Sophomore guard Eric Gaines scored seven of his 10 points in the second half and helped Kent State hold a 14-2 edge in fast break points. Junior guard Randal Holt also had seven points of his 10 in the second half. Porrini (seven rebounds, five assists and three steals) and senior forward Justin Greene (five rebounds, four assists and three steals) rounded out the double figures scorers for Kent State, each scoring 10 points.
The Golden Flashes are at Western Carolina on Saturday. Game time is at 2:00 pm.
NOTES
• The Golden Flashes are off to a 2-0 start in true road games for the first time since the 2003-04 season
• Kent State holds James Madison to its fewest points scored this season. James Madison entered the game averaging a CAA best 75.0 ppg.
• The Golden Flashes have out scored all seven opponents in the second half this season
• Kent State is 5-0 this season when at least four players score in double figures
• Kent State is also 5-0 when scoring 70+ points
• Fifth time this season the Golden Flashes have shot better than 50 percent in the second half
• Third consecutive game Kent State has had double-digits in steals (13 tonight). The Golden Flashes are averaging a MAC best 10.2 steals per game on the year
• Chris Evans (17 points tonight) is averaging 13.2 ppg in the five games he has come off the bench. 5.5 ppg when he starts.
Courtesy of Kent State Athletics |
