Morgan Safford led the charge for Kent State, scoring 18 points and grabbing 10 rebounds to help his team secure a 72-57 victory over Ohio at the M.A.C. Center. The Golden Flashes' dominant performance was fueled by a strong second half, where they outscored the Bobcats 44-33. Safford's double-double was complemented by Delrecco Gillespie's 15 points and 12 rebounds, as well as Cian Medley's 13 points and 8 assists.
The game got off to a slow start, with Kent State holding a slim 28-24 lead at halftime. However, the Golden Flashes came out strong in the second half, using a 10-2 run to build a 12-point lead with just over 10 minutes remaining. Ohio struggled to keep pace, with Aidan Hadaway's 13 points leading the way for the Bobcats. JJ Kelly and Javan Simmons chipped in with 10 and 9 points, respectively, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Golden Flashes' balanced attack.
CHD Scout's pre-game prediction had Kent State winning by 9.3 points, and while the margin was larger than expected, the outcome was spot on. The Golden Flashes' 15-point victory was a reflection of their strength and depth, as they improved to 16-5 on the season. Ohio, on the other hand, fell to 11-11, and want to regroup after a tough loss on the road.
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Final
The win was a Quadrant 4 victory for Kent State, which may not carry significant weight in terms of resume-building, but it's a positive result nonetheless. For Ohio, the loss was a Quadrant 3 defeat, which won't hurt their tournament chances too much, but it's a missed opportunity to pick up a quality win. As the season wears on, both teams want to strengthen their resumes and make a push for the postseason.
With this win, Kent State solidifies its position as a strong mid-major program, and while it may not have been a marquee victory, it's a result that will help the Golden Flashes build momentum heading into the final stretch of the season. For Ohio, the focus will shift to bouncing back from this loss and finding ways to compete against tougher opponents. As the tournament picture begins to take shape, both teams want to make a statement and prove themselves as worthy contenders. The Golden Flashes' dominant performance against Ohio will certainly be a notable addition to their resume, and they'll look to build on this momentum as they chase a postseason berth.