 KENT STATE 67, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 60 Junior guard Randal Holt led four Golden Flashes in double figures, scoring a game-high 23 points with an impressive 7-10 night from the field and a 4-5 performance from three.
Holt, who had 15 points in the first half, hit a game-tying three-pointer in the final seconds of the first period to knot the game at 32-32 going into the break. Kent State carried that momentum into the second half using a 14-3 stretch in the first six minutes to take control of the game.
Reigning MAC East Player of the Week, junior forward Chris Evans hit two three-pointers during the stretch as he scored double figures off the bench for the fifth time in six games.
Central Michigan answered the Kent State run by scoring the next nine points to trim the margin back down to 46-44 with just over 10 minutes remaining. Holt then delivered by connecting from the right wing for his fourth three-pointer of the game to end a four-plus minute drought without a field goal for Kent State.
The Golden Flashes where not out of the woods yet, however. Central Michigan pulled back to within a single point after a three from Austin McBroom at 7:22, but this time Kent State answered with defense. After McBroom’s three, the Golden Flashes strung together six consecutive stops on Central Michigan while slowing building up a seven point cushion. Kent State then sealed the game from the foul line hitting 7-10 in the final two minutes.
Holt and Evans were joined in double figures by senior forward Justin Greene and senior guard Michael Porrini . Greene was 6-7 from the foul line for the game while totaling 12 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Porrini, meanwhile had 10 points on 4-7 from the field and 2-4 from three.
Kent State returns home on Saturday to host Western Michigan. Game time 7:00 pm.
Courtesy of Kent State Athletics |
