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Writer's pictureAlan Kornspan

Payton Jr. Leads Flashes to Victory Over Ball State to Open MAC Play - Excellent Ball Movement Key to Success

Alan Kornspan

Believeland Media


The Kent State Golden Flashes Men's Basketball team defeated the visiting Ball State Cardinals on Tuesday night, 82-69.  


The Flashes opened up the game shooting 50 percent from the field to take a 41-30 lead over the Cardinals going into halftime. 


Strategically, Kent State Head Men's Basketball Coach Rob Senderoff, said that the focus of the game was to make sure the Flashes were moving the basketball well.


“Just really trying to make sure we move the basketball and that we weren't playing one-on-one,” said Senderoff.
“We played St. Mary’s in I think the first game in the 400 games I coached that we scored less than 20 points in the first half. And as you watch the film there was a lot of one-on-one play in that game, so hopefully we learned from that. We certainly did tonight and we have to carry that over as we continue moving forward in league play.”
“We're at our best when the ball is moving and who ever it is, is able to rip drive or shoot three’s.”

Leading the Flashes in the first half was Chris Payton Jr. who had 13 first half points on 5-9 shooting from the field.  


Chris Payton Jr. Led the Flashes with 20 Points for the Game.

(Alan Kornspan Believeland Media)


In the second half, the Flashes began by extending their lead to 19 points with 12:35 left in the game.


However, Ball State would chip away at the lead as they went on a 10 point scoring run to get to within 7 points of the Flashes with 8:37 left in the game.  


That would be as close as the Cardinals would get.  


The Flashes then went on a six point run to extend their lead to 13 points with 5:23 left in the game.


With a 13 point deficit, the Cardinals put the Flashes on the line to try to see if they could get back in the game. 


However, over the final four minutes, the Flashes were 6-6 from the line. 


Jalen Sullinger had 12 points, Going 5-5 From the Free Throw Line.

(Alan Kornspan/Believeland Media)


Jalen Sullinger was 4-4 and VonCameron Davis was 2-2 from the line down the stretch to seal the game.


VonCameron Davis had 14 Points and was 4-4 From the Line Against the Cardinals.

(Alan Kornspan/Believeland Media).


The Flashes were excellent at the line, going 21-24 (87.5%).  Certainly, getting to the line was a product of moving the basketball well.


Also, getting 15 assists demonstrates the Flashes unselfishness in playing team basketball and the player’s willingness to move the ball to find the open man.


In addition to the Flashes excellent ball movement and free throw shooting, the Flashes held a 35-28 rebounding edge throughout the contest.


Offensively, the Flashes had five players in double figures for the game.


Chris Payton Jr. led the Flashes with 20 points as he was 8-14 from the field, and 3-5 from the line.


Also leading the Flashes offensively were VonCameron Davis (14 points), Tyem Freeman (13), Jalen Sullinger (12), and Reggie Bass (11).


Ball State was led offensively by Basheer Jihad (23 points), Davion Bailey (14), and Jalin Anderson (10).


With the victory, the Flashes move to 8-5 on the season and will next play Eastern Michigan on Saturday, January 6th.


The Kent State Cheerleaders.

(Alan Kornspan/Believeland Media).

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