 KENT STATE 58, WESTERN CAROLINA
“Our kids showed incredible toughness, resiliency and togetherness,” KSU coach Rob Senderoff said. “I don’t think at any time did our kids question that they were going to win the game. When you play that way sometimes you find a way to win games that in a lot of ways you probably don’t deserve to win. We found a way today with our kids showing a lot of heart which I really think is going to help us down the road.”
Senior guard Carlton Guyton led the team with 13 points, but it was Michael Porrini who came through in the clutch once again to lift the Golden Flashes. Porrini, who started his collegiate career with the Catamounts, scored five points of his 11 points in the final 1:36. Senior forward Justin Greene added 12 points and nine rebounds plus had the go-ahead basket with 55 seconds remaining.
Kent State trailed 55-51 when Porrini drove to the basket for a lay-up and foul.
“I was rested after just coming in from off the bench and coach told me to go get them,” Porrini sai. “ I knew we where down four, so it was time for me to go out and be a senior and make the play. I knew I’d be able to get to the hole and fortunately I did and got the call.”
The Golden Flashes got the ball back again after forcing one of 20 turnovers by the Catamounts in the game. Porrini drove to the hole once more, but his contested lay-up was off the mark. Greene controlled the miss, then gave Kent State a 56-55 lead with a short hook from the left block.
In the final minute the Golden Flashes forced a Catamount miss and another turnover as Porrini hit two more free throws with 12 seconds left to give Kent State a three-point margin.
Western Carolina miss fired on a three, but a turnover by Kent State chasing down the rebound gave the Catamounts one last chance with three seconds left. The Golden Flashes chose to foul putting Harouna Mutombo on the foul line for a 1 and 1. Mutombo made the first and intentionally missed the second. Kent State finally secured the win when the rebound was batted around as the final buzzer sounded.
It was another solid defensive performance by the Golden Flashes, who held their third straight opponent to less than 60 points. It was also the fifth time this year Kent State has forced 20+ turnovers in a game.
“Our kids have defended the entire year weather things have gone well offensively or not. They have continued to grind on the defensive end and that’s the real reason why we are 7-1 right now,” Senderoff said.
The Golden Flashes step away from competition for finals next week. They next travel to Utah for the Athletes in Action Classic, hosted by Utah State Dec. 20-22. Saint Peter’s and UT-Arlington are also making the trip out west
Courtesy of Kent State Athletics
NOTES
Team Notes:
• The Golden Flashes are 3-0 on the road this season
• Kent State is allowing just 51.6 points per game in the last three games.
• Kent State had a +10 (38-28) rebounding margin for a second straight game
• The win gives Kent State its second straight 7-1 start to the year for only the second time in school history (1998-99 & 1999-00)
• Kent State has forced 20+ turnovers five times this season
Individual Notes:
• Justin Greene became just the fourth player in school history to have 100 career blocks. Greene had one block in the game to bring his career total to 100
• Greene also moved into fifth place on the Kent State career rebounding list. He now has 652 rebounds, passing Mike Scott (646; 2005-08)
• Greene is now ranked 15th all-time on the career scoring list as well with 1,192 career points passing Rodriquez Sherman (1,180; 2005-08; 2009-11).
|
