Southern Miss Stuns Kent State in Thrilling 66-65 Upset

In a stunning turn of events, Southern Mississippi pulled off a monumental upset at Reed Green Coliseum, taking down Kent State 66-65. The Golden Eagles, led by Djahi Binet's impressive 17-point, 7-rebound performance, defied the odds and handed the Golden Flashes a devastating loss. This outcome is all the more remarkable considering Kent State was predicted to win by a slim 0.8-point margin, according to CHD Scout's pre-game forecast. Instead, Southern Miss was the better team on this day, silencing the doubters and making a significant statement.

The first half saw Southern Miss take control, with the Golden Eagles heading into the break with a 34-30 lead. Kent State, however, refused to back down, and the second half became a back-and-forth affair. Delrecco Gillespie, Kent State's top performer, tallied 15 points and 9 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the determined Golden Eagles. Tylik Weeks and Isaac Taveras also made significant contributions for Southern Miss, with Weeks notching a double-double (15 points, 11 rebounds) and Taveras adding 16 points. On the other side, Rob Whaley Jr. and Cian Medley joined Gillespie in scoring 15 points each, but their efforts ultimately fell short.

The magnitude of this upset cannot be overstated. Kent State, with a net ranking of 135, was expected to cruise past Southern Miss, which sits at 238 in the net rankings. Instead, the Golden Eagles rose to the challenge, showcasing their resilience and determination. This victory will undoubtedly be a significant boost to Southern Miss's tournament resume, as it qualifies as a Quadrant 3 win. Conversely, Kent State will have to regroup and reassess their strategy, as this loss will be categorized as a Quadrant 3 defeat.

The implications of this result are substantial, particularly for Southern Miss. By knocking off a superior opponent, the Golden Eagles have demonstrated their ability to compete against tougher foes. This win will undoubtedly be a crucial factor in their tournament chances, as it showcases their capacity to rise to the occasion and secure crucial victories. On the other hand, Kent State must bounce back from this setback and refocus on their tournament aspirations.