Kent State men's basketball holds off Western Michigan in MAC opener

When a men’s basketball game is played at the M.A.C. Center, Kent State fans have heard the bell ring six times this season.

Tuesday was the same when the Flashes defeated Western Michigan 80-72 in the first Mid-American Conference game.

KSU improved to 11-3 overall while Western Michigan is 4-10.

Kent State is now 7-0 at home, the best start since the 2013-2014 season.

“We appreciate all of the fans that come, especially when it is break,” redshirt sophomore forward VonCameron Davis said. “We didn't expect a lot, but a lot came out today. And we definitely appreciate that.”

This was the first game for the Flashes after their non-conference schedule ended 11 days ago.

“Just going back home trying to stay in shape,” Davis said. “Trying to get ready for conference play and just trying to stay mentally focused for everything.”

Kent State’s defense forced five turnovers in the game's first eight minutes, helping give the Flashes a 15-11 lead. During this time, the team recorded two steals and a block.

“In the first half, we really made it difficult for them, and our defense kept us in the game because of that,” Coach Rob Senderoff said.

Over the next five minutes, both teams traded baskets, making the score 20-18.

With 3:44 remaining in the first half, KSU led 30-21.

Despite shooting 31% from the field in the first half, Kent State went into the break leading 38-26.

In the first 20 minutes of play, the Flashes attempted 15 free throws, converting on all 15.

Redshirt junior guard Giovanni Santiago and Davis each scored 11 points to lead all scorers.

Along with Santiago and Davis, redshirt senior guard Malique Jacobs each made five free throws.

WMU made its first six shots to start the second half, cutting the KSU lead to 46-39.

KSU’s defense picked up where it left off, forcing six turnovers to start the second half.

After two quick scores by the Broncos, the Flashes led 56-51 with nine minutes left.

Sophomore guard Jalen Sullinger converted a 3-point play and redshirt senior guard Sincere Carry connected on his second shot from behind the arc to give KSU a 62-51 lead with 8:22 remaining.

Over the next 2:13, Kent State went on a 13-4 scoring run, going 4-4 from the field, including three shots from behind the arc.

The Broncos went on 15-3, scoring over the next four minutes. The score was now 72-70.

With two minutes remaining in the game, Santiago converted a four-point play to end the scoring drought.

“I just wanted to give him a hug,” Sullinger said. “We needed that, and I was really happy for him.”

Over the final two minutes, KSU held the Broncos to two points.

With Carry and sophomore center Cli’Ron Hornbeak fouled out of the game and playing a combined 37 minutes. Senderoff needed his bench to step up.

“Really great job by those guys tonight,” he said. “That's good for our team because we need all of these guys in order to be successful.”

KSU’s bench ended the game with 30 points and 18 of those coming from Sullinger.

“All I want to do is win, but it feels good when everything is dropping,” he said.

Davis knows that conference games will be challenging, but his coach has prepared the team for anything.

“I think we're ultimately ready for that; we executed down the stretch and made a lot of good plays to finish up the game,” he said.

Davis ended the game with 16 points, eight rebounds and was 5-of-5 at the free-throw line.

Santiago added 15 points and converted six free throws. Jacobs led the team with eight assists and totaled three steals.

As a team, the Flashes scored 24 points in the paint and 12 off of turnovers.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Kent State men's basketball defeats Western Michigan