Live Blog: Kent State vs. Cleveland State

SECOND HALF

0:00 ... Final from the M.A.C. Center, Cleveland State beats Kent State 78-70 

0:38 ... Kent State made a run to cut CSU's lead to three with almost two minutes ... but too many empty possessions after that point.

KSU trails 72-67 now, hoping for a miracle and some missed CSU free throws.

3:59 ... A chance to get something going here for Kent State as Goodson hit a three from the corner on inside-out action from Henniger ... That was followed by a steal by Henniger as KSU forced a turnover with full-court pressure.

Henniger now heading to the foul line after grabbing an offensive rebound. If the 95-pct shooter form the foul line hits both, it will pull Kent State back to within six points. The lead now is 66-58 for CSU.

5:13 ... Flashes continue to get out-worked. Now down 64-54 after giving up an easy offensive rebound and putback.

6:32 ... The lead is 60-54 for Cleveland State. Kent State will have the ball coming out of this timeout after Kris Brewer was trapped in the corner. All of the hustle plays right now are coming from the Cleveland State side.

Flashes also not helping themselves by splitting just about every pair from the foul line. The 55th best free-throw shooting team in the country is making just 62-percent tonight.

7:31 ... Cleveland State out-hustling Kent State over last two minutes, taking a 56-51 lead... Some careless passing by the Flashes, and also giving up too many second-chance opportunities during this mini run by the Vikings.

Momentum has clearly shifted in Cleveland State's favor.

The Vikings will have Jon Harris going to the line trying to extend the lead to 7 out of this timeout.

9:38 ... Kent State and Cleveland State are tied, 50-50 ... but some bad news as Darren Goodson had to be helped from the floor after an apparent leg injury suffered under the CSU basket.

11:56 ... Flashes down 48-42 and struggling a bit from the foul line. Derek Jackson leads all scorers with 16, but he is just 6-for-11 from the foul line. The good thing is he is attacking the rim and is a big reason the Flashes have drawn 6 CSU fouls compared to just one called on KSU.

Kent State needs to get Kris Brewer going. The point guard has just 2 points on 1-of-3 shooting.


14:55 ... Kent State trails Cleveland State 39-38 in a very entertaining game.

Darren Goodson has picked up his game in the second half. He got it started with his passing, finding Jackson on a give-and-go for a layup, then hitting Dev Manley for an open three.

Goodson also has a couple of difficult buckets in the paint.

Derek Jackson will be at the foul line for three shots after getting fouled on a second-chance jumper created by a Melvin Tabb offensive rebound and find.

FIRST HALF

0:00 ... Cleveland State takes a 30-28 lead at halftime on a 3-pointer by Bryn Forbes at the buzzer.

Derek Jackson had put the Flashes on top briefly at 28-27 with a pair of free throws with 24 seconds to play.

Jackson leads all scorers with 10 points at the break.

Marlin Mason has eight points to lead the Vikings – three better than his season scoring average.

Cleveland State's guards have been held in check for the most part through the first 20 minutes. Prior to that three by Forbes at the buzzer, all three starting guards for the Vikings and been held to one field goal each.

The hot shooting from the perimeter early was mostly pick-and-pop shooting by the forwards, and in particular Marlin Mason, who is 2-for-2 from three. The 6-foot-6 forward came in averaging just over 5 points per game. He has 8 in the first half.

I talked to assistant coach Bobby Steinburg here at halftime, and he said the keys to the second half are playing more inside out and not settling for the first jumper. He said Senderoff is also concerned with turnovers (8 against 7 assists) and the fact that CSU is beating KSU to loose balls.


1:04 ... Three consecutive stops on defense by Kent State and the Flashes have a chance to take the lead coming out of this timeout. Flashes trail 27-26 after an 18-foot baseline jumper by Melvin Tabb, who drew the foul on the shot and converted the free throw.

An offensive foul on Tabb trying to fight for position inside gives ball back to CSU.

3:39 ... Kent State wants to get out and score in transition... problem is, Cleveland State got off to a pretty hot-shooting start. While the Vikings have cooled a bit to just under 50 percent, Kent State only just scored its first fast-break point on a layup by Melvin Tabb.

Kent State trails 25-21.

Cleveland State's defense has been very good, using hard hedges to push KSU's offense further and further out on the perimeter.


7:54 ... Flashes hanging in through a somewhat tough-shooting start. They trail Cleveland State 20-17. Derek Jackson leading the Flashes with eight points on 3-of-3 from the field including 2-of-2 from three-point range.

KSU just called for its first foul more than 12 minutes in.

10:49 ... Four pretty ugly minutes for Kent State between timeouts. Only basket was a transition three by K.K. Simmons.

Cleveland State's lead is now 18-12. The Flashes are having a difficult time with the pick-and-pop shooting by the Viking forwards.

CSU is sizzling from three-point range, hitting four of its first five from the arc.

14:08 ... A nice flow to the first six minutes of this game ... and that's thanks in large part to D.J. Carstensen, Frank Spencer and Chuck Bullock allowing the two teams to play. 

The first foul of the game was just called almost six minutes in. Derek Jackson will be heading to the foul line coming out of the timeout trying to put the Flashes into the lead. Cleveland State leads 10-9.

Mark Henniger with a nice start, moving his feet on defense and keeping an offensive rebound alive when it looked like two Vikings had it corralled. That led to a 10-footer by Jackson.

Coming out of the timeout Jackson missed both free throws.

PREGAME

6:45 ... Back to the regular starting lineup for Kent State after a few changes during the trip to Charleston.

Manley back in the starting lineup along with Brewer and Jackson at the guards. Goodson starts with Henniger at the forwards.

Cleveland State doesn't have great size, so I'm hoping to see Kent State look inside first, and with the Vikings playing some zone it should give the Flashes some opportunities to get to the offensive glass. The Flashes come into the game ranked No. 55 in the nation in free-throw shooting at .736. Four guys are shooting better than 80 percent, so attack the rim and get to the foul line.


6:10 p.m. ... I'm not sure what kind of a crowd we'll have here at the M.A.C. Center with the students out for the holiday.

Hopefully we'll see 500 fans that may not have been attendance after Kent State's players and coaches gave away tickets at WalMart in Kent just before Christmas.

I talked with Rob Senderoff a little while ago and he said the players found a nice reception from the holiday shoppers.

More importantly, Senderoff said the team is rested and healthy after getting a few days off. Usually there is a player or two who returns to campus late after going home for Christmas. In fact, its often a starter who gets back late and ends up coming off the bench in the first game back. Good weather made it easy for players to find their way back to Kent in time for the first practice.

Just a little guess for tonight ... Darren Goodson will have a good game tonight. Watching him in shoot around he seemed to have a little extra bounce in his step. He was smiling and shooting it very well from the perimeter.


5:32 p.m. ... Kent State is wearing the gold uniforms today. The grey unis took their first loss in the last home game here against Bucknell. The superstitious Flashes usually stick with whatever wins. They won in blue on the road on Saturday at Charleston. KSU flies to Princeton early tomorrow, though, and will need the blues for that game, so with the quick turnaround the Flashes decided to go with gold tonight.

Cleveland State will wear its grey uniforms.

5:25 p.m. ... A reminder that Ty Linder and I will be broadcasting live tonight on WHLO 640 AM with a simulcast on iHeart Radio. Here's the link to the Golden Flashes iHeart station.

As usual, we'd like to make the broadcast more interactive. If anyone has any questions or comments during the game, post them below or tweet them to @CarducciKSU and Ty and I will discuss on the air.


5:03 p.m. ... We are just inside two hours before tipoff between Kent State and Cleveland State here at the M.A.C. Center.

I'm pretty excited to be back after taking a medical leave for a few weeks. My target game to come back was this one, and I'm happy to have been able to make it.

This should be a good one, too. It's still strange for me to see Gary Waters on the visitor's bench here at the M.A.C. Center. It's even stranger for me when Jim Christian is on that bench, and he is here next with Ohio University on Jan. 8. That's a bit of an odd back-to-back at home with two former Kent State head coaches coming to town.

Waters' team at Cleveland State may look a little like some of his old Kent State teams. The Vikings are guard oriented with an offense that loves to run Charlie Lee, Trey Lewis and especially Bryn Forbes off of screens.

Kent State's coaches think Forbes may be the best guard they've seen this season at cutting and getting his shot. He is athletic and has a very quick release. He is averaging a team-best 17.8 points per game with 46.2-percent shooting from three-point range. Of course, Derek Jackson will draw that assignment. It should be the matchup to watch.

Kris Brewer and Dev Manley will also have difficult assignments. I'm guessing Manley will be back in the starting lineup, and if so he will likely guard Lewis, a transfer from Penn State who is averaging 13.9 per game. Lewis likes to drive right, and while he's just a 30-percent shooter from three, he is streaky and capable of getting hot from the perimeter. Brewer would then get Lee, who at 5-foot-8 is a small-but-quick combo guard who can also get hot from long range. He is shooting 41.2 percent from three.

Limiting Miami transfer Jon Harris off of the bench could be a big key to tonight for Kent State. The 6-foot-7 lefty is athletic and a good pick-and-pop shooter. Marlin Mason starts at the four, but Cleveland State is at its best when the lefty Harris is on the floor next to Anton Grady. The Vikings are not particularly big with the 6-8 Grady the tallest of the players getting the bulk of the minutes for Waters. Ismaila Dauda is 6-foot-10 and a 250-pound load, however, who could be on the floor for 6 or 7 minutes.

Doubleheader Blog: Women's Basketball vs. Niagara, Men's Basketball vs. Bucknell

Kent State vs. Bucknell

Men's Basketball

SECOND HALF

0:00 … A disappointing finish to what was really a pretty disappointing game if you are a Kent State fan. The Flashes lose 66-59 in what was a pretty miserable shooting effort.

Talking with Rob Senderoff after the game he said several guys had off nights at the same time, and too often they tried to make up for mistakes or their struggles with what he called "hero" shots.

Goodson led with 18 points, but its hard for this team to click offensively if anyone shoots 17 times.

The Flashes were never able to get anything going inside, and that led to Henniger going scoreless on just three shot attempts. He didn't get to the foul line, where he was 35-for-35 on the home stand. But he was active with a career-high 18 rebounds. Talking to Eric Haut afterwards, and some of that was the way Bucknell defended in that they pack it in and don't really try to chase the pick and roll that has been so effective for Henniger this season. But the Flashes never did try to sustain any inside action, instead settling for almost 30 threes … and only hitting 25-percent from beyond the arc.


0:44.3 ... Bucknell doing everything it can to keep Kent State in it ... two missed free throws and a travel on the last two possessions ... But Kent State hasn't been able to do anything on the other end.

Brewer tried to draw a foul with a take to the hole ... no call... and Goodson with a missed three from the right corner.

Must-score possession here.

2:56 ... Flashes trail 59-55 but have the ball under their own basket coming out of this timeout.

Kent State had tied it before an Ayers three for Bucknell. Goodson hit a turnaround in the lane drawing a foul, but missed the free throw that could have tied it ... that led to another Ayers three and this four-point lead.

The Flashes need to score here and capitalize on a big break after Brian Fitzpatrick missed a wide open layup on the previous possession.

6:59 ... Bucknell took a lead on a 15-0 run, but Goodson with a driving layup in transition and a transition three, and Flashes back within two points at 53-51.

Goodson on a solo 6-0 run after Flashes fell behind by 8 points.

10:17 ... The Flashes have squandered the 7-point lead they had built at the 15:16 mark.

Bucknell is on an 11-0 run. Flashes taking bad shots and look a little flat-footed on defense.


15:28 ... Kris Brewer with a nice start to the half. He just stood his ground to draw a charge. He also has a pair of long jumpers coming off of screens.

Goodson may have rediscovered his touch with a pretty backdown jumper from the left block.

And a Kellon Thomas three coming out of the break has kicked the lead to 45-38

FIRST HALF 

0:00 ... K.K. Simmons with a  big spark off the bench has helped Kent State to a 31-29 lead at halftime.

Bucknell held a 6-point lead just before Simmons checked in late. The guard turned in several key plays - an on-the-floor steal while rotating to help against a screen, three from the left wing, and a tough defensive rebound in traffic

Goodson leads the Flashes with 8 points on 3-for-10 shooting.

Henniger has yet to score for the Flashes, but he has 6 rebounds.

Derek Jackson has done a nice job on Ayers. Bucknell's top scorer (15 per game) has yet to hit a shot from the field and has just two points from the line.

Flashes still outscoring Bucknell in the paint 12-10 despite taking more than half of their shots from three-point range.

3:50 ... Flashes falling in love a bit with the three. They aren't necessarily bad threes, but its hard sometimes to remember that the first open look isn't necessarily the best look you can get in a possession. It seems like the Flashes are finding that first shot from the deep right corner in front of the Bucknell bench, and right now the Bison is happy to give them that shot.

KSU is 3-for-14 from three. Bucknell is 5-of-9, with Brackney leading the way with 12 on 4-of-5 shooting from three. He hit one just a few minutes ago over the wingspan of the 6-9 Khaliq Spicer.

7:53 ... Missed no-call just helped Bucknell to another basket. A clear travel by Chris Hass extending the Bison possession.

Kent State defense has been average at best, and Flashes getting out-shot from 3-point range, 2-for-10 for KSU to 4-of-6 for Bucknell.

9:42 ... Bucknell lead is 20-17 ... Not doing a great job of defending the three so far (4-for-6 by Bucknell so far) ... and also not understanding some situations, allowing Fitzpatrick to drive left from the top when the scouting report says the forward is a drive-first guy, and a lefty.


15:28 ... Kent State's men's team can shoot it from three... We all saw that when the Flashes broke the school record for threes earlier in this home stand ... But there's no need to fall into a three-point shooting competition against Bucknell.

The Bison doesn't have a shot-blocker on its roster, and yet Kent State is spending most of its time on the perimeter early. That will change.

Flashes still lead 10-8 early after a three-point play by Brewer on a driving layup following a Goodson steal.

PREGAME

7:07 p.m. ... Just 16 minutes to tip here at the M.A.C. Center and Kent State's men trying to sweep the doubleheader following the women's team's blowout win over Niagara.

We are on the pre-game show now on WHLO 640 AM, simulcast online on iHeartRadio's Golden Flashes channel.

Got to defend the three and be smart defensively tonight because Bucknell will throw quite a bit at you offensively ... similar to the way Princeton keeps teams a little out of whack with all of their motion.

Bucknell runs a lot of the Princeton sets. Lots of screens, including the transition drag screen that the San Antonio Spurs love to run in the NBA. How the Flashes defend that late in transition will be a big key.

The Flashes usually want to defend and get out and go. That's a goal again tonight, but it will take a little extra poise in the defensive end before getting out and running with the basketball. 

 Kent State vs. Niagara

Women's Basketball

SECOND HALF

FINAL ... Kent State 69, Niagara 46 ...

The Flashes jumped ahead with a 21-2 run to close the first half and never looked back. 

Ashley Evans scored 15 points to lead the Flashes, who had four players in double figures. Montia Johnson added 11 points in a double-double performance that included 10 rebounds. Mikell Chinn and Cheylene Harper added 10 points each, and Cici Shannon pulled down 11 rebounds and blocked three shots. 3:30 ... Kent State has dodged the early bullet in the second half ... leading 63-40 and running away a bit now.

10:30 ... Tables have turned a bit as Niagara has out-scored Kent State 22-11 and out-rebounded the Flashes 10-6.

Kent State lead is down to 51-37.


11:47 ... Niagara is starting to make a bit of a move, cutting the Kent State lead to 51-34 on a layup play by a driving Chanel Johnson.

Shannon picked up two quick fouls in a row on blocks that looked pretty clean.

Scoring in the paint is 28-12.

Evans has 12 to lead the Flashes. Dunlap has 10. Hot hand for Niagara is Peterson, who leads all scorers with 15.

16:30 ... First bucket of the game for Lurken, and on a great drive and dish by Jontia Johnson to build Kent State's lead to 48-22.


18:08 ... Kent State outscored Niagara 29-2 from late in the second half through the early part of this half.

... and again, all of this with Lurken looking for her first points...

FIRST HALF

0:00 ... Dominating first half for Kent State's women, leading Niagara 40-15.

The Golden Flashes lost at Niagara by almost 30 last season. Pretty big turnaround for both teams.

Halftime numbers:

Ashley Evans and Amber Dunlap lead KSU with 10 points each.

Shannon already has nine rebounds and the Flashes are out-rebounding Niagara 27-13.

The Purple Eagles have made just 7-of-25 shots (28-percent), while Kent State is hitting 45.9-percent (17-37) despite making just 1-of-7 from three-point range. No need for the here when you are getting so many good looks in the paint.


2:01 ... An offensive rebound, putback, and foul shot by freshman Janae Peterson has extended the Kent State lead to 39-15 ... and the old-fashioned three-point play came on a missed free throw by Shannon.

All of this without a single point by Larissa Lurken, who is KSU's leading scorer so far this season at 11 per game.

4:47 ... Shannon, Johnson and Harper are dominating the inside as Kent State has outscored Niagara 22-2 in the paint.

Now hitting from the perimeter, too, as an Ashley Evans jumper from the wing has put Kent State ahead 35-13.

9:16 ... A three-pointer by Ashley Evans from the right corner has forced Niagara to call a timeout.

Flashes have better ball movement on offense since the last time I had a chance to see them play. Good to see them starting to gel. It hasn't taken very long with so many new faces.

Harper, who is a graduate student from Arizona, just hit another shot in the post off of a nice drop step. She makes a nice double post with Shannon. That duo is on the floor together right now.

Rebounding advantage is 15-7.

Shannon and Johnson have six rebounds each already.

11:09 ... A slim 14-13 lead for the Flashes, who are led at the moment by Montia Johnson's 6 points.

Johnson just hit a pretty turnaround in the lane. She has a real scorer's mentality, and at 6-1 she has the size and length to get that shot off in traffic. Cheylene Harper has also had an early impact off of the bench, hitting an elbow jumper off of a high-post catch coming out of this timeout. Add in a 3-pointer by Amber Dunlap, and the Flashes have built a 21-13 advantage with just inside 10 minutes to go. A nice 8-0 run in just one minute.

15:07 ... Flashes lead 8-6 after a steal and breakaway by Mikell Chinn.

It is very obvious the difference CiCi Shannon makes in the middle of this defense. She doesn't have a blocked shot yet, but just stepping up in the middle she has forced a travel by Donisha Watson. She has also helped to hold Niagara to pretty much one and out on the offensive end.

Shannon is the first dominant defensive presence in the middle for Kent State since Andrea Csaszar 10 years ago. Although, Tiffany LaFleur was also a presence inside defensively. Csaszar blocked 162 shots in her career (2000-02, 04). LaFleur blocked 109 (2003-07).

16:30 ... Good start for Ashley Evans, who has 4 points. Tied at 4-4 early. Defense has been solid for the Flashes, forcing three turnovers in first three minutes. KSU is shooting just 2-of-7 to start, however.

PREGAME

1 p.m. ... I'm looking forward to seeing the women's basketball team for the first time in quite a while. Tonight is a good opportunity for the coach O'Banion's team to string together a couple of wins. Hopefully the doubleheader along with the promotions of free tickets with a coupon from Facebook and a free mini basketball and gold t-shirt to the first 200 students will create a better home-court advantage for both the men's and women's teams.

These doubleheaders don't happen very often anymore, but I've seen it in the past where the men's crowd arriving early gets behind the women's team and really spurs them on, and then the women's crowd staying over helps create a bigger-game atmosphere for the men.

The addition of CiCi Shannon appears to be making a big difference, especially on the defensive end where she leads the Mid-American Conference and is among the national leaders in blocked shots. True freshman Larissa Lurken also looks like she has a very promising career ahead of her. She already leads the team in scoring at 11.0 per game while shooting 34.5 percent from three.

Niagara brings three players averaging in double figures in Meghan McGuinness (13.4), Victoria Rampado (10.6) and Val McQuade (also at 10.6). McGuinnes is a 5-10 guard. Rampado and McQuade are forwards at 6-2 and 6-foot, respectively. The matchup between the 6-2 Rampado and the 6-4 Shannon could be a good one.

As for tonight's men's game, this is a big one to get to 9-1 for the first time since Jim Christian's first season in Kent back in 2002-03. That team started 9-1, but then saw that record get changed to 10-0 later when St. Bonaventure was forced to forfeit six games for using an ineligible player.

I was at the game at Bucknell last season. The Bison are obviously missing Mike Muscala, who was a beast in last year's 76-60 Bison win, scoring 27 points on 12-of-17 shooting. The Flashes had no answer for him. Bryson Johnson (13 points) and Joe Williams (8 points, 10 rebounds) also had nice games for Bucknell, but they are both gone now, too.

In their place, 6-5 guard Cameron Ayers and 6-3 guard 6-8 forward Brian Fitzpatrick are now the Bison's most dangerous scorers at 15.0 and 11.1 points per game. Steve Kaspar is a pretty crafty 6-3 point guard who is averaging just under 10 per game.

Fitzpatrick and Kaspar were bit players last year when Kent State played at Bucknell. They didn't put up any numbers in a combined 15 minutes off of the bench in that meeting. Ayers scored nine points, grabbed five rebounds and shot 1-for-4 from the three-point arc.

This year's numbers dictate that Kent State should try to get to the rim. Bucknell has only three blocked shots in seven games so far. Led by the 6-10 Muscala last season, Bucknell blocked four shots in the game against Kent State alone. The Bison play almost exclusively man-to-man defense, and the Flashes should try to play inside-out first. This is also a game where Kent State can really try to crash the offensive boards.

Kris Brewer is a bit hobbled, but Senderoff said he expects the junior point guard to start tonight. Having a nice long break after this game will be good for him.

One of the things I remember the most about that trip to Bucknell was the arena. The Sojka Arena in Lewisburg, Pa. might be my favorite of all of the mid-major arenas I've been in over the years. It only seats around 4,000, but has is a fantastic atmosphere.

Live Blog: Kent State Men's Basketball vs. Kennesaw State

FIRST HALF

0:00 ... The second half was pretty much a walk for Kent State, outscoring Kennesaw State 41-26 for a 68-51 win.

Henniger led the way with 16 on 4-of-5 from field and 8-of-8 from he foul line. Also six rebounds.

Khaliq Spicer added six points and 13 rebounds as the Golden Flashes really dominated inside.

Kent State only won the points-in-the-paint line 22-18, but most of KentState's 31 free throws on 39 attempts came from attacking the basket.

Kennesaw converted 89-percent from the line, but only attempted 9 free throws.

I can't remember the last time the Flashes shot 30 more free throws than an opponent.

Jackson added 14 points and four rebounds, shooting 4-of-6 from the field and 5-of-5 from the line.

3:53 ... Kent State holds a 17-point lead at 62-45 despite 18 turnovers.

Mark Henniger drilled two more free throws a little before this timeout to extend his streak of makes from the free-throw line. He is 35-for-35 in this home stand.

7:38 ... The Kent State lead is 54-37. Darren Goodson heating up. After a scoreless first half, he has a pair of threes ... the last coming seconds ago on nice teamwork with Dev Manley ... first finding Manley in the corner, who showed the three, penetrated, then kicked back to Goodson for the jumper.

Mark Henniger has another double-digit effort with 12 points. Spicer already has nine rebounds to go with six points as the Flashes are getting good numbers again from the center spot.

11:47 ... Night and day between the first and second halves.

Kent State is starting to run away, up 45-31 and playing with significantly more poise and energy.

Khaliq Spicer working hard on the boards and on the defensive end.

Devin Carter has been aggressive in a matchup with Kennesaw State's Tanner Wozniak that is allowing him to get anywhere he wants on the floor.


15:48 ... The run is 10-2.

After 1 assist in the first half, the Flashes already have three assists on four second-half hoops.

Thomas has been a real spark on both ends with three assists, a steal and a traditional three-point play.

18:12 ... A quick timeout for Kennesaw State as the Flashes jump to a little 5-0 frun to start second half.

Kellon Thomas started for Brewer to open the second half. Brewer was walking gingerly during halftime as the training staff. The training staff took a look at his right leg.

SECOND HALF 

0:00 ... Flashes very lucky to take a 27-25 lead into the half. Very poor play so far and it took a fairly strong finish to get this slim advantage.

The big statistic that explains this half:  9 turnovers and just 1 assist.

And still the Flashes have a lead. That tells you what this score could be if KSU was bringing anything to this game.

Kent State missed an opportunity to take advantage of a pretty big mismatch late in the half with 6-foot-9 Khaliq Spicer guarded by 6-6 Kris Drees. Despite the size and athleticism advantage, Spicer got two shots and missed them both. He did dominate the last few minutes at the defensive end with two blocked shots and four rebounds. But little offense on the other end kept KSU from taking building a bigger lead late.

Jackson leads Kent State with 10 points on 3-for-3 shooting from field and 3-for-3 from the line. He also has matched Spicer's team-high 4 rebounds.


3:34 ... This is as poor a performance as we've seen from Kent State so far this season.

The Golden Flashes are getting out-worked by Kennesaw State, and that's why they are down 25-23.

The bench has provided little spark despite coaches yelling "effort" every time they send someone to the scorers table.

Kris Brewer just turned the ball over in the backcourt on sheer hustle by the Owls' Delbert Love.

7:26 ... Derek Jackson scored 10 of Kent State's first 16 ... Add in a steal-and-score with a free throw tacked on by Devin Carter and Kent State is up 19-17.

A sloppy game 7 turnovers by Kent State so far, and 6 by Kennesaw State.

Carter's steal came in full-court trap near half court. Flashes pressuring full court more than usual, trying to get something going as they look a little sluggish early.

10:37 ... Pretty sloppy start for the Flashes.

Already 5 turnovers, which is a high number for this team. Kent State has taken very good care of the basketball during the start of the season.

Derek Jackson has provided a spark, though, in his second shift on the floor... He hit a long three and now trying to convert an old-fashioned three for a 13-12 lead ... which he does coming out of the timeout.

15:40 ... Underway here at the M.A.C. Center. So far a somewhat slow start, but a 6-4 lead for the Golden Flashes.

Kent State has had some pretty good looks at the basket and already drawn four fouls on the Owls.

Flashes are going big early with Tabb in at power forward, first next to Henniger and now with Spicer in at the center.

PREGAME

12:23 p.m. ... Another Sunday afternoon game for Kent State today with Kennesaw State coming in for a KSU vs. KSU battle.

We are hoping to see you here, and if you are an adult planning to buy a ticket today at the M.A.C. Center ticket window, bring your son or daughter, or a niece or nephew ... because you get one free ticket for a child 12 and under with your paid ticket.

As always, today's game will be broadcast live on WHLO 640 AM. The Kent State women's basketball game will be on the Golden Flashes station on iHeartRadio, so the simulcast online will be on WHLO 640 AM's iHeart station. 

Ty Linder and I will be fielding questions and comments during today's broadcast and addressing them on the air. So, post those questions or comments below or on via Twitter to @CarducciKSU.

Kennesaw State comes in at 3-6 with victories over Warren Wilson, Tennessee Chattanooga and Truett-McConnell. Cincinnati almost hit 100 on them on Friday in a 95-67 win over the Owls. Youngstown State beat Kennesaw State 73-57 earlier in the year.

From what I'm told, the Owls run a pretty basic offense. They score by being active, so the Flashes will need to worry about boxing out on the defensive end yet again. The Owls will send three or four players to the glass on every shot. Kennesaw State also tries to play quick and athletic, so transition defense will also be important.

Orlando Coleman leads a pretty balanced group of scorers at 11.3 per game. I'm told that even though he is a 6-foot-5 forward, defensive stopper Derek Jackson may still get the assignment.

Kennesaw State has some size after 5-9 point guard Yonel Brown with Coleman, 6-7 Nigel Pruitt (9.2 ppt), 6-8 Bernard Morena (8.9 ppt) and 6-10 Willy Koussai. Delbert Love is a 6-foot guard who is extremely talented. He was the leading scorer at 12.5 per game last season, but he has been coming off of the bench in favor of a big lineup. And he's averaging 10.2 per game off of that bench through nine games.

Live Blog: Kent State men's basketball vs. Youngstown State

SECOND HALF

0:00 ... Kent State dodged several bullets down the stretch to hold off Youngstown State for an 83-79 victory.

Five Flashes finished in double figures led by Derek Jackson's 15 points.

Kris Brewer added 14 and 6 rebounds.

K.K. Simmons came up big off the bench again with 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting and 4-of-4 from 3-opint range. He also dished out a team-high three assists, matching the three recorded by Goodson and Jackson.

Mark Henniger continued his run of fine play with 11 points and seven rebounds, going perfect from the foul line again (5-for-5).

Goodson scored 10 points to go with six rebounds and three assists.

Brewer made two big free throws down the stretch and Derek Jackson split a pair to give KSU its four-point lead late.

KSU had no answer for YSU's Kamren Belin, who scored 32 points, grabbed seven rebounds, blocked two shots and also had three steals. Much of Belin's damage was done from the foul line where he was 14-of-15. He also hit 4-of-10 threes.

The Penguins played much of the second half without starting point guard D.J. Cole, who injured his left ankle and left the game at the end on crutches. That had to have an impact on what YSU wanted to do offensively as he's the guy who pushes it on their fast break into the secondary break.

1:20 ... A 9-point lead cut into again by YSU as Weber hits a three and then a turnover leads into a fast-break dunk by Perry.

Lead now down to 80-76.

3:30 ... A Kris Brewer runner in the lane has extended Kent State's lead to 76-67.

Flashes continuing to attack inside and that's changed the game a bit.

Jackson leads four Flashes in double figures with 14.

8:09 ... Kent State built a 7-point lead by attacking the rim, but now YSU is on a mini run to cut the lead to 65-64.

Flashes have not had an answer for Ryan Weber who has 26 points and is a perfect 11-for-11 from the foul line.

Kent State had fallen in love with long jumpers early in the half, but since they've turned their focus inside the offense has been significantly better.

But every time the Flashes have started to open up their lead, YSU has answered with big shots, including threes by Keene and Weber.

13:18 ... Three straight three pointers by K.K. Simmons have stemmed the tide a bit.

Simmons now has 12 points to lead the Flashes.

Lead is 55-52 for Kent State

15:30 ... A rocky start for Kent State in the second half. Youngstown State has out-worked the Flashes so far. Senderoff is not happy about it and has already used a timeout after a 6-0 start right out of the gate for the Penguins.

The run is now 11-2.

FIRST HALF

0:00 ... A little flurry at the end of the first half has Kent State ahead 42-30 at the break.

Manley beat the YSU 2-3 zone with a three from the right wing, then the Flashes forced a turnover that led to a Goodson bust out at the buzzer.

The Flashes have come back to make 9 of their last 18 after an ugly 4-for-14 start from the field.

Jackson leads Kent State with nine points. Manley and Brewer both have eight points.

Goodson has recovered from his rocky start. Since checking in with about five minutes to play in the half, he has three steals and two assists.

2:05 ... Back-to-back threes by Kris Brewer and Dev Manley have KSU with its biggest lead at 33-25.

Perry just picked up his second foul and is likely on the bench for the rest of the half.

3:14 ... A Derrick Jackson three from the left corner has put Kent State ahead 27-24 heading into the timeout. Jackson has nine points.

Darren Goodson set up the three with an inside-out pass. Goodson has struggled a bit so far however. Three turnovers and 0-for-2 from the field. This is a game where he will be key against YSU's 2-3 zone.



7:54 ... Flashes trail 19-18 in large part because of YSU's work in the paint. The Penguins are outscoring KSU 12-6 inside.

Chris Ortiz has been very active, however, since checking in.

Remember, Ortiz was starting to play extremely well last year before breaking his ankle at Youngstown State. He was tentative when he came back and started a bit slowly this year, but he has been much more aggressive in the last week. He has a steal, an offensive rebound and a put-back so far.

11:56 ... Still tied here at the M.A.C. Center, now at 12-12.

K.K. Simmons has provided another spark off of the bench, hitting an NBA three from the top of the key.

Flashes shooting just 3-for-12. Youngstown State is 5-for-13.

15:52 ... First timeout and Kent State and Youngstown State are tied at 5-5.

So far, the Flashes have done a nice job of slowing the Youngstown State break and the secondary break while forcing the Penguins to run their offense.

First basket of the game was a spectacular tip-dunk by Derrick Jackson 2 1/2 minutes in.

PREGAME

5:40 ... Ty Linder and I will be on the air with the pre game show on WHLO 640 AM and on the internet on iHeartRadio's Golden Flashes station.

We are continuing to try to make the game experience more interactive for our fans who listen in on the radio or online and/or follow along with this blog and Twitter.

Any time anyone has a question or a comment during this or any other game, please feel free to post here (below) or to tweet at me at @CarducciKSU.

Ty and I will do our best to address the question or comment live on the air during the broadcast of the game.


5 p.m. ... It is about two hours before tipoff here at the M.A.C. Center and players are leaking onto the floor to get up a few shots.

Tonight should be an interesting game. Youngstown State has always given Kent State fits, even in years when the Penguins were down and the Golden Flashes were soaring. I'll still never forget the loss in the 2001-02 season.

This year's Youngstown State team looks like a good one. Despite very few quality wins in their 6-1 start that includes three victories against non-Division I opponents, the Penguins comes in with a No. 9 RPI according to RealTimeRPI.com. Kent State is No. 69.

Just like we've seen over the last few years under Jerry Slocum, this Penguins love to run. They are looking to push the ball on every possession, and defending the secondary break will be a key for Kent State tonight.

Kendrick Perry is YSU's goto guy. The 6-foot guard is the Horizon League's player of the year. He is an athletic guard with a quick first step and he will look to attack the rim at every opportunity. He can score in a variety of ways, though, including on jumpers from beyond the arc and in the midrange.

As usual, Derek Jackson is expected to get the assignment of guarding Perry.

A scout from the Orlando Magic is here tonight, presumably to scout Perry, by the way.

The Penguins also have some size that could test a Kent State front court that has been playing extremely well of late.

Ryan Weber is a 6-6 forward who is averaging 10.9 per game, and he can shoot it. Finding him in transition and the secondary break will be important. Kameren Belin is a 6-7 forward who is also good in the post and capable of hitting from deep. He is averaging 11 per game. Bobby Hain is 6-10 and a skilled post player who averages 11.6 points and 8.0 rebounds. Keeping him from point-blank shots in the secondary will be important, so Mark Henniger, Melvin Tabb and Khaliq Spicer will need to spring back on defense and keep him out of the paint.

Looking at the season box score for Kent State, you have to love the way the numbers highlight the remarkable depth of this team.

When was the last time the Flashes had four starters averaging in double figures (Brewer at 12.4, Jackson and Manley both at 11.3 and Goodson at 10.1). The other starter is Henniger, and he's at 9.3 points and coming off a week that saw him earn the MAC East's player of the week award.

Off the bench you have Thomas and Simmons at 7.0 and 6.7 per game respectively. Behind them Spicer and Tabb are playing very well and averaging a combined 8.2 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. Devin Carter can also be a valuable reserve, and Chris Ortiz is starting to feel his oats a bit after an injury-plagued season last year and a slow start.

Its hard not to like this team.

Live Blog: Kent State men's basketball vs. Niagara

SECOND HALF

0:00 ... No breaks on the air for quite a while, so no time to update.

Kent State closed out a 102-97 win at the foul line as Kellon Thomas kept the Flashes up two-possessions by going 6-for-6 from the foul line in the final 20 seconds.

1:41 ... Driving layup by Brewer drawing a foul for a three-point play puts Kent State ahead 93-86 and Niagara calls timeout.

3:25 ... Spicer led another mini run with another acrobatic slam on a feed from Goodson.

The lead had reached 12 points, but Niagara storming back behind Mason and relentless work on the offensive glass.

An and-one opportunity has Mason at the line trying to cut into what is now an 87-81 lead.

Mason has 24 after a slow start.

7:58 ... A two-handed thunder dunk by Spicer on a beautiful feed by Goodson has KSU up 79-69 with Spicer heading to the line to try to turn it into a three-point play after the timeout.

Niagara is staying in this one with its work on the offensive glass.

9:56 ... The hustle plays are starting to go Kent State's way, and that's why the Golden Flashes are now enjoying a 77-65 lead after back-to-back buckets by Henniger ... one on a perfect 30-foot feed from Simmons and another on a nice find by Goodson.

Simmons almost single-handedly turned this game around. It just continues to show the depth and potential this team has to find heroic performances from all over its roster. Simmons has played well this year ... diving for a big loose ball at Temple and hitting some key shots in other games, but now he's showing he can take over a game.

Henniger now has 20 points.

11:28 ... A K.K. Simmons single-handed 8-0 run vaulted Kent State back into the lead. He hit a three in transition and an old-fashioned three point play, shielding Joe Thomas with his right shoulder and flipping in the driving layup with his left hand ... Nice to be a lefty in that situation.

Add a Jackson three-pointer from the top of the key and Flashes lead 69-63 at this timeout with K.K. Simmons heading to the foul line.

15:11 ... Mason is heating up. He has 16 and Niagara has a 60-56 lead ... although it will be changed to 59-56 after correcting a three by Mason that was clearly a two.

That change has just been made.

Flashes continue to be out hustled.

FIRST HALF

0:00 ... Kent State was out-hustled by Niagara in the last eight minutes of the first half, and because of it the Flashes have watched an 11-point lead get clipped to just 44-43.

Top priority on the Kent State game plan coming in had been to get out and run. No. 2 was to attack a perceived weakness in the post. The Flashes got away from those goals early as they appeared to fall in love just a little too much from three ... and I guess who could blame them after setting a school record with 18 threes last night.

But even with decent 5-of-10 three point shooting (after 4-of-5 early), Rob Senderoff won't be happy with just two fast-break points against what should be a tired Purple Eagles roster.

We all thought Kent State's depth would be the difference. So far, Niagara's depth is the difference. The Purple Eagles' bench has outscored Kent State's 24-10.

The hustle plays have gone to Niagara.

The Flashes have also been unusually careless with the basketball. Their eight turnovers have led to 14 of Niagara's points.

Manley leads Flashes with 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting, 3-of-4 from the 3-point arc.

0:45 ... Niagara catching fire has cut the Kent State lead to 42-41 on a three by Marvin Jordan.

3:37 ... Melvin Tabb is playing extremely well. He has been the bulk of the Kent State offense over the last few minutes as the Flashes have watched Niagara put some heat on with full-court pressure.

Kent State is starting to work a little harder at attacking inside. Tabb in the post with a nice move. Good pass from Goodson to a cutting Henniger for a two-handed dunk.

First bucket for Mason came at the 4:51 mark.

Jackson and Kellon Thomas have done a nice job of moving their feet and keeping Mason in front of them, forcing him to give up the basketball.

6:58 ... The Golden Flashes hit 4 of their first 5 three pointers, continuing their hot hand from last night. They've since missed two more.

The only issue with that, however, is that the Flashes haven't been attacking Niagara's perceived weakness in the post.

Lead was 31-20 briefly, bu tnow just 31-25.

Mason still scoreless with one forced shot.

11:05 ... Flashes had built a 20-11 lead after another three from Manley, but KSU has had some trouble on offensive boards in the last few minutes. Niagara on a mini run has cut it to 22-18.

Mason still has yet to score or even take a shot from the field.

15:37 ... Flashes lead 10-7 at the first timeout, and Dev Manley has kept his hot hand from last night. He has six points already, including 1-of-1 shooting from three-point range.

Derek Jackson working very hard on Mason early.

PREGAME

7:06 p.m. ... Just a little less than 10 minutes until tip.

Watching Antoine Mason warm up, and he looks impressive.

There's a good reason he wears No. 14 on his Niagara uniform ... It's the same number his father Anthony Mason wore with the New York Knicks, Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat during the bast days of his NBA career. Anthony was about four inches taller than his son. He was also more of a bruiser and even a point-forward than his son, who is a classic two guard and a scorer.

6:13 p.m. ... The tip time for tonight's Kent State vs. Niagara game is officially set for 7 p.m., but it will more than likely arrive closer to 7:30 p.m., just like the last two nights of the Coaches Vs. Cancer Classic here at the M.A.C. Center. As soon as Western Carolina and USC Upstate wrap up their 5 p.m. game, KSU and Niagara will have 30 minutes to warm up.

Here's a quick look at Niagara. The main guy Kent State needs to concern itself with is 6-foot-3 guard Antoine Mason, who is averaging 31 points while playing almost 39 minutes per game. The Flashes will want to test his legs early in what is the third game in three nights for both teams.

That's an advantage for the Flashes, who have made the most of their depth, playing 11 or more on a regular basis. KSU should still be fresh. Derek Jackson will draw the assignment of guarding Mason, and Jackson played just 29 minutes in Friday night's win over Western Carolina, while Mason barely left the floor in his team's loss to Western Carolina.

Mason's 31.3 per game has him ranked 5th in the nation in scoring, and he can score in a whole lot of different ways. He is good in transition. He will drive and shoot and he'll get to the line. He is also an adequate and streaky three-point shooter at 31-percent. Kent State will need to handle the ball screen, because that's where Mason likes to attack, and when he drives, he is not looking to pass ... so help the Flashes' bigs need to be ready to rotate and help.

Niagara also gets just over 10 points per game from 6-5 freshman forward Ramone Snowden. That matchup at the four should be favorable for Darren Goodson, who won't have as much trouble getting his shot off against the smaller four man. The Flashes will need to be aware of Snowden when they block out. He averages 7.8 rebounds per game and is a very active offensive rebounder.

Marcus Ware is a 6-8 sophomore at the five. He averages 9.8 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, and is coming off of a 16 point, 5 rebound effort against Western Carolina. He's a little different than the posts KSU has faced lately in that he's a pick-and-pop guy with range to about 19 feet. Ware is also the team's best offensive rebounder.

Niagara gives up a lot of points ... 83 vs. Seton Hall, 81 vs. Buffalo, 83 vs. USC Upstate and 98 last night against Western Carolina. With what have to be tired legs for Niagara, Kent State should be thinking first about getting out in transition and trying to score in bunches. Niagara is also at its best in transition, but a track meet should favor the Flashes' depth.

When the ball is in the half court, look for Kent State to pound the ball inside and challenge players the 6-foot-4 Snowden and the 215-pound Ware. The Flashes have a size advantage in there, so if they are going to hit threes like they did last night, they have to come out of inside-out action. With Niagara's tired legs and problems on defense so far this season, the Flashes should expect to get some very good looks at the basket.

Live Blog: Kent State Men's Basketball vs. USC Upstate

SECOND HALF

0:00 ... Ricardo Glenn misses at the buzzer on a shot from the right block. Flashes hold off USC Upstate for a 79-78 win behind a school record 18 threes. Flashes were 18-for-34 from long distance

The record - Manley tied it, Jackson broke it.

0:05 ... Kris Brewer splits a pair of free throws to give Kent State a 69-68 lead

0:09.9 ... Tie game after a driving layup by Torrey Craig drawing a foul by Ortiz tied the game on the three-point play.

Looked on replay like Ortiz' feet were outside the circle and he beat Craig to the spot on the baseline and was outside the circle.

Timeouts by both teams here with 9.9 to play, Flashes looking for a game-winner.

This was Holt or Evans time last year... who this year?

0:29 ... Kellon Thomas two clutch free throws gives Kent State a three-point lead with 29.7 seconds to go after USC Upstate calls a timeout.

1:19 ... The school record for three pointers is now 18 after a Jackson three with the shot clock running out.

And with all of the threes, an offensive rebound and put-back by Chris Ortiz may be the biggest play of the night, putting Kent State ahead 76-72 heading into this timeout.

Henniger tipped to keep the ball alive.

3:53 ... Flashes are finally hitting a few. Jackson and Manley drilled a couple of threes to give Kent State brief leads, but USC Upstate keeps answering.

A three by Thomas just before this timeout gave Kent State a new record for threes in one game with 16, tying a ark set against Marshall in 2002.

That is a game I will never forget, by the way.

8:11 ... A more than nine-minute drought for Kent State ends with a three by Derek Jackson from the left wing to give Kent State a 55-52 lead... But poor defense on the other end lead to four quick Spartans points, including an alley pop to Glenn.

Spartans up now 56-55.

Now a timeout with 7:26 to play and Kent State is down 59-57.

So far, the Flashes are shooting 4-for-18 (22-pct) in the second half compared to 10-of-18 (55.6-pct) by USC Upstate.

Ty Greene has caught fire. He has 15 to lead the Spartans. He is 5-of-8 from three, and all in the second half. He had just three points in the first half.


11:56 ... Kent State back into the lead, but by just one point at 51-50.

Melvin Tabb has been aggressive with a quick first step to the rim, helping him get to the basket twice in the last minute.

Still cold shooting, though, as a team ... 2-for-11 overall. But sensing that the shooting has cooled off, the Flashes are trying to get to the basket, and that's led to 6 free throws in the second half after just 4 in the first half.

15:08 ... Awful start to the second half for Kent State, who are shooting a bit flat footed.

Flashes 1-of-5 from the field

USC Upstate 5-of-7, including 4-of-6 from three ... and Spartans have surged into the lead at 48-47.

FIRST HALF

0:00 ... The Golden Flashes connected on just 2-of-18 from three-point range in last night's win over Western Carolina.

Tonight, they are 11-of-18, and that's why they lead USC Upstate 42-34 at the break.

After a tough shooting night last night, Darren Goodson has heated up, connecting on 4-of-6 from the field and all three of his threes. Goodson leads the Flashes in rebounding with four.

Dev Manley also has 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting, and all of those shots have come from beyond the arc.

Khaliq Spicer has had some good minutes off the bench again for the Flashes, grabbing three rebounds and scoring four points, throwing down a tip-dunk for his only basket and going 2-for-2 from the foul line.

Good minutes by Kellon Thomas off the bench, dishing out three assists and hitting a three in his nine minutes. Thomas now has 14 assists and just one turnover this season.


2:19 ... Kent State coaches are warning their players not to fall in love with the three, but as our friend Sans Cheese said via Twitter, its hard not to when you are shooting 75-pct.

It's actually 64.7 percent at 11-for-7,

And that's why KSU has a 40-32 lead.

Goodson is 3-for-3 from deep and also has 12.


5:01 ... Free throw by Darren Goodson have put Kent State up 34-27.

Three-point shooting continues to be scorching. At the 7:21 timeout, the Flashes were 9-for-12 from the arc, including 4-of-5 from Manley, who leads KSU with 12.

Torrey Craig has 14 for USC upstate.

9:13 ... Threes by Kris Brewer and K.K. Simmons, and both on penetration and kicks by Kellon Thomas have tied the game at 22-22.

Those were assists No. 12 and 13 on the season by Thomas, who has turned the ball over just once this season while averaging almost 20 minutes per game as the backup point.

15:49 ... Kent State leads 15-10 at the first timeout thanks to a hot start from the perimeter, hitting 3-of-4 from 3-point range, including 2-of-2 by Dev Manley.

Nice to see after struggling from long range last night.

They rebounded, though, last night, and that's been a problem so far. Too many offensive rebounds already for Upstate.

PREGAME

6:49 p.m. ... Ty Linder and I will be on the air at 7 p.m. for tonight's pre game show. You can listen in on WHLO 640 AM or online on the iHeart Radio Golden Flashes Radio Network.

It's been a fun night with lots of Kent State fans stopping me in the hallways of the M.A.C. Center to tell me how much they are enjoying this year's team. They appreciate the hustle and love the depth.

Jackson, as predicted, has certainly already become a fan favorite for his poise, hustle and defense. He doesn't care about how many points he scores, or how he scores them, as much as he does about locking down on defense.

Fans also seem to be falling in love with Khaliq Spicer, who has been productive just about every time he has stepped on the floor as the No. 3 post. Several people have talked about how much they like his upside. Fans have been encouraged by Mark Henniger and Melvin Tabb of late, but they are also feeling good about the future with Spicer taking over the post duties after that duo graduates.

I had hoped Spicer would be redshirted last year, but as it turns out, that was some valuable experience in the second half of the year with some success against top-tier MAC teams like Akron and Ohio. It allowed him to avoid the butterflies he would have found if this was his first taste of Division I basketball. Having him calm, cool, collected and ready to contribute is a big part of this team's depth and versatility. He's already played alone at the five in some lineups and at the five next to Tabb in others.

By the way, Western Carolina is about to beat Niagara. It's 89-80 with 1:52 to play, and Sumler has 32.

6:04 p.m. ... It's halftime of game No. 1 with Western Carolina leading Niagara.

Here's what I learned during that first half ... or reconfirmed might be a better word. Derek Jackson can really defend.

Jackson basically shut down SoCon preseason player of the year Trey Sumler, holding him to just four points on 1-for-9 shooting.

Well, Sumler already has 23 points at halftime against Niagara tonight.


5 p.m. ... Tonight's first game between Western Carolina and Niagara is about to start.

In the meantime, here are a few thoughts about USC Upstate. The Spartans may be the most difficult matchup for Kent State in the Coaches Vs. Cancer event.

USC Upstate is another very good offensive rebounding team, so it will be important to block out again tonight and limit second-chance points. Torrey Craig at the forward spot is an excellent rebounder at 6-foot-6, averring 8.3 per game. The Flashes will be just as worried about getting a body on 6-8 Jodd Maxey, who is at 7.3 per game.

Craig is also a great scorer at 22.5 per game so far. He is the pre-season player of the year in his conference and the go-to guy for the Spartans. He has range out to 26 feet and can drive and score with either hand. And again, when he does miss or a teammate misses, he hits the offensive glass. Fundamentals will be a key. Close out and challenge those long jumpers, but stay down and in control with that close out to be ready when Craig chooses to drive.

Ty Greene is the Spartans No. 2 scorer at 17 per game. The 6-foot-3 guard has a high basketball IQ and has the green light to shoot.

USC Upstate tries to get those scorers free with a lot of movement ... staggers and back-screens, pin downs, UCLA cuts. That's a lot to defend and recognize, so the Flashes will need to be alert and talking on defense.

As always, Kent State will need to take advantage of its depth and athleticism by trying to push the ball every chance it gets and find some easy baskets.

It would be a nice bonus if the Flashes can rediscover their stroke from the perimeter. Winning the way they did last night with pure hustle isn't easy. It's akin to playing poker where you can win by grinding and using the well-placed bluff, but it sure is a whole lot easier to catch great cards all night long.

I'm really hoping to see Mark Henniger continue his fine run of play. He shouldn't have much of a size disadvantage as the Spartans start two 6-8 guys on the front line in Maxey and Ricardo Glenn. Michael Buchanan will give them 6-11 and 250 pounds for 10-to-12 minutes off of the bench, however.

Henniger, Tabb and Spicer all played well against Western Carolina last night, and Henniger and Tabb were fantastic on Sunday against Saint Peter's. Keep getting strong play in the post with the talent and depth on the perimeter, and the Flashes could get this thing rolling early this season.

Live Blog: Kent State Men's Basketball vs. Western Carolina

FIRST HALF

0:39 ... Flashes clearing the bench with a 72-57 lead.

Just a few seconds ago, Kris Brewer drilled a 3-pointer from just inside half court as the shot clock was running out ... Before that the Flashes were 1-for-14 from the line.

K.K. Simmons has 10 points on 8-of-8 shooting from the foul line, joining Henniger in double digits.

2:56 ... Henniger back in, looking for a double-double and trying to help the Flashes finish off the win... Flashes now up 66-52.

4:33 ... Kent State lead is 64-45. Henniger is on the bench with a team-high 17 points and 9 rebounds as the Flashes try to close this out.

Spicer has given Kent State quite a bit in limited minutes ... 10 minutes, but 5 points on 2-for-2 shooting, 6 rebounds and a blocked shot.

K.K. Simmons is playing well. Aggressive and getting to the foul line.

7:15 ... Flashes lead is 56-40 with 7:15 to play. They continue to get out and run, but by creating turnovers ... including a great steal, bustout and athletic finish by Henniger, drawing a foul for a three-point play just a little more than a minute ago.

Henniger leads the way with 15 points and 8 rebounds, following up a great game against Saint Peter's on Sunday.


9:47 ... Some quick numbers during another timeout ...

Kent State is just 1-for-12 from the three-point arc, but still leading 47-40. That lead was just 10 before a 3-pointer by Tom Tankelewicz in transition.

Western had been 1-of-8 from three prior to that Tankelewicz three.

Henniger has 10 points and 7 rebounds.

Jackson has 9 points and three steals ... and he's 4-for-5 from the field, 1-of-1 from three.

11:17 ... Shooting is better for Kent State in the second half ... 8-for-15 so far ... and that's because Kent State is trying to get out and run a little more. Stat sheet says still only 8 fast-break points, but that's incorrect.

Derek Jackson had a steal and a fast-break dunk earlier after insisting he stay on the floor with three fouls.

Chris Ortiz is finding some success, and that's great because he had been struggling. This can be a confidence builder for the power forward.


15:35 ... Kent State has led by nine, but Catamounts hanging in there, down only 37-34.

Kent State has been playing with Derek Jackson on the floor despite three fouls ... and he just showed why he needs to be in there as he just ended Kent Sate's drought from the arc, hitting a 3 from in front of the Kent State bench.

The Flashes had been 0-for-9.

Henniger having another nice game, leading Kent State with 10 points, including 6-for-6 from the line. After an 0-for-3 first half from the field, he is 2-for-2 so far in the second half.

FIRST HALF

0:00 ... Kent State leads 27-22 at halftime

Kent State has to feel extremely lucky to be in the halftime locker room with a lead. The Flashes were stuck at 11 for what seemed like forever before the Kellon Thomas layup broke the ice.

They are still freezing cold from the perimeter, however ... 0-for-8 from 3-point range.

More frustrating are the misses from right on top of the basket. Despite 7 offensive rebounds, the Flashes are still looking for their first second-chance point.

And despite missing all of his four three-point tries, Dev Manley is a big reason the Flashes have this lead. He has 6 points, 5 rebounds, a blocked shot and three floor burns from diving on the floor. While he hasn't hit a three, he has done some other things like take the ball to the bucket and hit the mid-range jumper.

Hopefully the perimeter shooting heats up... But if not, look for Kent State to try to get out and run more in the second half. Only 8 fast-break points, and Western Carolina struggles in transition defensively.


3:49 ... Flashes have forged into the lead. Kellon Thomas sparked the run with a driving layup and some nice defense.

Manley continues to play well. He just had back-to-back buckets, both drawing fouls, and surprisingly he missed the cap on both potential three-point plays from the foul line.

Manley is also continuing to show more of his game, driving and finishing with a high left-handed floater, then hitting an elbow jumper after a pump fake and dribble.

It's 21-20 Kent State.

An 11-2 run for the Flashes.

8:33 ... Kent State has 6 offensive rebounds and no second-chance points.

Chris Ortiz just checked in and is already the 11th player used tonight by Kent State.

Down 15-11 early.

11:50 ... At the 12-minute timeout, Rob Senderoff has already used 10 different Kent State players. He continues to use his depth and try different lineups.

We've already seen Tabb back at the four playing for several minutes with Khaliq Spicer at the center spot.

A little bit of a sloppy start. Not much rhythm yet to the game. Nobody for Kent State has more than a bucket.



15:57 ... Good hustle and good ball movement for Kent State leading into this first timeout ... but not a whole lot to show for it.

The Flashes are 3-for-8 from the field and 0-for-3 from three-point range, and so far they trail 7-6.

Dev Manley was on the floor hustling for a loose ball seconds after the opening tip. A minute or two later, he showed from the left corner to get Brandon Boggs off of his feet, attacked the rim and finished. Those two plays show how much Manley has come after being thought of mostly as a spot-up shooter early in his Kent State career.

PREGAME

7:20 ... USC Upstate held off a late charge by Niagara to win 83-74 in the first game of tonight's Coaches vs. Cancer Classic at the M.A.C. Center.

Kent State vs. Western Carolina tips off in a little more than 15 minutes.

You can listen in online on iHeart Radio's Golden Flashes' channel right here ... http://www.iheart.com/live/Golden-Flashes-Radio-6068/

You can also listen in on WHLO 640 AM.

It's good to see Larry Hunter back here at the M.A.C. Center. I always liked his Ohio University teams. His teams always compete. This Catamounts team will be no different. It's pretty guard oriented team led by 6-foot-3 James Sinclair, 6-2 Trey Sumler, 6-4 Tom Tankelewicz all averaging double figures and all capable of hitting from well beyond the three-point arc.

Western Carolina will also like to post up its guards, so the Golden Flashes will have to be able to both contest deep threes and force the same players off of the block. Defending transition will also be a key, communicating and locating spot-up shooters.

Kent State should have an advantage in the post, especially if Mark Henniger and Melvin Tabb combine to play like they did on Sunday against Saint Peter's.

Tabb has learned how to play the four and can now play in combination with Henniger, as he did in that game to great impact. I know fans were also disappointed not to see more time for Khaliq Spicer against Saint Peter's, but the sophomore is ready.

The depth and versatility of lineups in this team is becoming a very nice situation.'

I was talking with Rob Senderoff the other day about how well Tabb played, and he said 'well, he has to. Everyone has to play well, because they know there's someone right behind them ready to come right in."

Kent State at Ohio University Blog

FOURTH QUARTER

Dri Archer put the stamp on what is now a blowout win.

A 29-yard scamper with 1:46 on the clock extended the Golden Flashes' lead to 44-13. 

It also put the final stamp on a spectacular career at Kent State. Best of luck in the NFL Dri! We'll be following you.

Melchiori added field goals of 28 and 26 yards earlier in the quarter.

Going back to the Reardon-to-Pierce touchdown pass with 31 seconds to play in the second quarter and Kent State out-scored Ohio 34-0 after falling behind 13-10. 

That finish and these back-to-back wins over Miami and Ohio may not be the 4-out-of-5 that Darrell Hazell's first team put together at the end of 2011, but its certainly something to build on for next season. It gives the group that returns some positive thoughts to spur them on in the offseason.

Sure, the Flashes lose some of the most successful and talented players in Kent State history in Archer, Nix, Wollet, Goode and more ... but Reardon is back, and he'll be pushed by another talented freshman quarterback in Nathan Strock. Competition can only make that duo better. The comeback players in Terhune and Melchiori are back. Trayion Durham will be back, as will Chris Humphrey, who is having another good night that included a first-half circus catch.

THIRD QUARTER

Two more Kent State touchdowns in the third quarter have Kent State in position to finish the 2013 season with a pair of satisfying wins over MAC East rivals. Miami may be down and Ohio may be reeling late in the year, but how many times over the years have the Golden Flashes been able to celebrate wins over those two teams in the same season ... and in back to back years?

I was in my sophomore and junior years at Hudson High School the last time it happened back in the 1986 and 1987 seasons.

The second of Kent State's two touchdowns was a real thriller ... a 61-yard rumble by Nate Terhune on a fake punt with 8:10 on the clock ... and with an exclamation-point hurdle over Ohio punt returner Daz'mond Patterson at the Bobcats' 40-yard line.

By now most of you know about Terhune's comeback from a broken leg four weeks after suffering the injury at LSU on Sep. 14. That touchdown puts an exclamation on his incredible return.

Here is a link to a story I wrote on Terhune's comeback that ran in last week's game program. 

The Terhune punt return gave Kent State a commanding 31-13 lead.

Earlier int he quarter, Dri Archer added his second touchdown of the night with a 5-yard run to put the Flashes ahead 24-13.

SECOND QUARTER

Colin Reardon is putting together arguably his best game of 2013 hear in the regular-season finale. At halftime he has completed 10-of-16 for 125 yards and has been extremely accurate. He’s even clicking to the point that he is getting away with it when he makes a high-risk throw, as he appeared to do when he lofted his only touchdown pass of the first half to tight end Casey Pierce late in the first half.

The 11-yard throw to Pierce gave Kent State a 17-13 lead going into halftime. When Pierce came down with it, there were four Bobcats surrounding him. It may not have been as high risk a throw, however, as I thought when I first watched Reardon loft it towards the end zone. Pierce is 6-foot-4 after all, and he had a better chance of high-pointing the football than the smaller Ohio defenders. In fact, it’s actually the kind of throw I used to expect more often to former KSU receivers like Cameron Bobb and Mario Medley in the red zone in past years.

I’m a bit surprised that the Flashes have been as balanced offensively as they have, with Reardon putting up some of his best numbers of the season so far. Ohio has struggled against the run in recent weeks, and that had me expecting to see Kent State try to run the ball down the Bobcats’ throats with Trayion Durham and Dri Archer.

We’ve seen some Thunder and Lightning, though, so far in the first half. Archer had a 24-yard touchdown run that put the Flashes ahead 10-6 early in the second quarter. The Flashes have 80 rushing yards compared with the 126 they have through the air with Reardon.

FIRST QUARTER

Anthony Melchiori’s impressive comeback from a hamstring injury continues as he boots a 47-yard field goal to tie the game at 3-3 with 10:06 to play in the first quarter.

I wrote about this last week, but it’s worth repeating. I passed Melchiori in the hallway of the M.A.C. Center a few weeks back and he told me that he was planning on coming back for the Miami game. I liked the determination in his voice but didn’t necessarily expect to see Melchiori return this season. Paul Haynes had said that it was doubtful Melchiori would return, and when he did it was pretty clear that the coaching staff planned on shutting him down to heal for next season.

Melchiori is a tough kid. He’s from a similar mold as Matt Bahr. Some of you may remember how Bahr used to love to be in the mix trying to make a tackle after kicking off. Similarly, Melchiori approaches playing kicker like he is a position player. I was fortunate to see him play in high school at nearby Aurora, and he was a do-it-all guy then, playing defensive back and wide receiver in addition to kicking and punting. He’s carried that position-player mentality to his current role at Kent State.

PREGAME

I am not in Athens tonight, unfortunately. I could't make the trip, but I'll be sitting at home like most of you watching on ESPN2 as Roosevelt Nix, Dri Archer, Luke Wollet and the rest of the Golden Flashes' 16-man senior class plays its last game in a Kent State uniform.

Fitting, ESPN has a good story on its College Football Blog about Dri Archer taking "aim at the future."

In it he says he has no regrets about returning to Kent State for his senior year, despite the fact that injury kept the 2013 season from going the way he had wanted.

To read it click, the image below:

There are some other Kent State-Ohio stories on the web if you'd like to do some pre-game prep. 

Here are a few of the links:

• Stephanie Storm writes a farewell piece on Kent State's 16 seniors preparing to play their final game tonight in Athens in today's Akron Beacon Journal
• The last note in Elton Alexander's Plain Dealer notebook has some info on Kent State vs. Ohio University
• Allen Moff's capsule preview of Kent State vs. Ohio University is in today's Record-Courier.
• Jason Arkley of the Athens Messenger previews the game and the atmosphere the Bobcats hope to create in Peden Stadium
• The Hustle Belt's preview focuses on Ohio University's chase of a bowl bid
• The Sporting News has this brief preview of Kent State vs. Ohio

What do you hope to see tonight as we say goodbye to some of the most successful seniors in Kent State football history?

What will Dri Archer, Roosevelt Nix, Luke Wollet, Tyshon Goode and the rest do in their final game?

Predictions?

Live Blog: Kent State vs. Saint Peter's Men's Basketball

SECOND HALF

11:35 ... Took a while to get a break to post.

Flashes lead is now 48-42 despite getting a bit hot from the perimeter. We had a stretch early in the second half with Manley hitting back-to-back 3's and then Jackson hitting a long 3 from the corner. But even with some hotter shooting, the Flashes haven't been able to open up the lead.

Saint Peter's is much more aggressive on the offensive glass.

Melvin Tabb has been more aggressive than we've seen him on the offensive end.

Henniger and Tabb playing together on the post.

7:28 ... Kent State is enjoying its biggest lead at 61-46 after a three-pointer by Kellon Thomas from the top. As we've all talked about before, good things happen when Kent State runs its offense inside-out through Goodson, and that last three was set up by a pass from the post by the Flashes power forward.

This run has also been keyed by the play of Tabb and Henniger. I love seeing them on the floor together – something we saw only a few times last season ... most notably at Bucknell.

Henniger has 11. Tabb has 6. But they've won the battles inside on both ends.

3:29 ... Flashes pulling away now... Up 66-50.

As several fans have talked about on Twitter, he depth of the Flashes is showing in this win. Tabb coming in and having an impact. Kellon Thomas and K.K. Simmons has had an impact as well.

2:11 ... Lead is now 70-53 after a Brewer driving layup with the left hand, using his body to shield off Qadir Welton. Tabb added another basket with a strong take to the rim, showing off his footwork. We've seen a lot of different things from him, step through facing the basket, drop step with back to it.

0:00 ... FINAL: Kent State 75, Saint Peter's 58

Probably the best post play we've seen in two seasons from Kent State. Henniger was a perfect 5-for-5 from the floor. He also had four rebounds and two blocks.

Tabb added nine points and a team-high five rebounds in a very active performance off of the Kent State bench.

Add in 12 points at the four spot from Goodson, including a team-high 5 assists, and the Flashes won the battle in the paint.

The Flashes are becoming a very well-rounded team when you consider the fact that they still found plenty of production from the guard spots ... and in a lot of different areas.

Brewer led the team with 12 points, but he also played the point for the better part of his 27 minutes without committing a single turnover. Kellon Thomas came in and played 20 minutes of turnover-free basketball while dishing out five assists... That's 5 assists and no turnovers from the point guard position.

Derek Jackson scored only 8 points, but he had another 2 steals while holding Desi Washington below double-digits (9 points).

Dev Manley is known for his shooting, but he keeps showing he can do more. His defense was solid most of the day. He also grabbed four rebounds. And he still shot it, converting 3-of-4 from beyond the arc.

A lot to like, especially in the second half when they outscored Saint Peter's 75-58.

FIRST HALF

15:32 ... Some defensive struggles early. Deep touches in the post for easy baskets on the Peacocks first two possessions. Since then, three consecutive threes, including one just seconds ago by Washington from the left corner ... Flashes trail 13-7.

Goodson scoring off of the inbound to cut it to 13-9 ... He has seven points early.

11:52 ... Saint Peter's is red hot from beyond the arc in the early going. The peacocks have hit 5-of-7 from 3-point range so far and have a 19-13 lead.

Defense for Kent State has been just so-so in the early going. Jamel Fields just hit a 3 in the corner for the Peacocks late in the clock. Flashes stopped defending after a nice rotation earlier in the possession.

6:43 ... Darren Goodson and Kris Brewer have the hot hands for Kent State. The Flashes have battled back to tie on an elbow jumper by Brewer, who has six points on 2-for-5 shooting. Goodson leads the Flashes with nine on 4-of-7 from the field. He hit a fallaway from the left block to pull KSU to within two.

Saint Peter's has missed three in a row from the arc. Cooling off a bit.

5:06 ... Flashes on a 9-0 run now have a 28-23 lead. Manley just hit a corner three on great ball movement from Goodson-to-Tabb-to-Thomas-to-Manley.

0:00 ... Saint Peter's has cooled off. After hitting five of their first seven from the 3-point arc, the Peacocks missed their last eight 3's of the half. And while the Flashes have taken advantage by forging into the lead, the first half has been a bit of a mixed bag for Kent State.

The defensive effort has been inconsistent. Sometimes they defend the full 35 seconds. Sometimes they don't. They have done a nice job of limiting second-chance opportunities. Only three offensive rebounds and five second-chance points so far for a Saint Peter's team that likes to crash the offensive glass.

Goodson heating up is a nice sight for Kent State's coaches. He may have pressed a bit late in the game at Seton Hall. But today he is letting the game come to him. So far Goodson leads the way with 10 points and four rebounds. Henniger has also been outstanding. After being in foul trouble early in both of this week's road games, the senior has stayed on the floor tonight. No fouls and 8 points on 4-for-4 shooting. Henniger has done a nice job of getting good deep-post touches by fighting for position and creating angles with his moves to the basket.

The Flashes have done a nice job on the boards, leading the rebounding battle 18-12 at the half. Welton and Dominique came in averaging better than 10 rebounds per game. They have 2 and 1, respectively, at the half.

PREGAME

12:56 p.m. ... Talking with Kent State's coaches earlier, there did not appear to be a drop off in practice after playing hard at Temple and Seton Hall this past week. The Golden Flashes seem to have taken from those games what they should. They've built some confidence.

Today is a bit of a scary game for the Flashes. The coaches insist Saint Peter's is better than their 0-2 record. They are concerned in particular with three players ... Marvin Dominique, a 6-foot-7, 215-pound forward who transferred from Fordham, Desi Washington, a 6-2 guard, and Quadir Welton, a 6-7 center-forward who has some bulk to him as a I watch him shoot during pre game.

Dominique has been a beast in Saint Peter's two games, averaging 21.5 points and 10.5 rebounds. He had 31 and 14 against the same Long Island team that took Indiana to the buzzer last week. He can post up and pick-and-pop from three. Keeping him off the block and forcing him to settle for perimeter looks will be a key.

Welton is a danger for Kent State in that he is an aggressive offensive rebounder. The Peacocks are a good offensive rebounding team as a whole, so the Flashes will need five to the glass on defense to limit second-chance opportunities. Henniger, Tabb and Spicer will have to combine to put a body on Welton for 40 minutes.

While he has struggled in his first two games, Washington has a scorer's mentality. He has a quick release. Jackson will get the assignment of trying to continue Washington's slow start.

For a team with nobody over 6-foot-7, Saint Peter's is something of an inside-out team. The peacocks like post ups and iso's. The Flashes' bigs need to keep Sominique and Welton off of the block.

1:42 p.m. ... Starters up on the board here at the M.A.C. Center. No changes for the Flashes ... Brewer, Jackson, Manley, Goodson and Henniger.

Saint Peter's starting lineup, according to the scoreboard, reads Trevis Wyche, Chris Burke, Kris Rolle, Washington and Welton. Wonder if that is correct ... Dominique not apparently in the starting lineup. Haven't heard that he is injured.

1:51 p.m. ... The superstition continues for Kent State men's basketball. Flashes lost in the gold uniforms at Seton Hall, so after wearing gold for the first three games, they've made the switch to gray today.

Tweet us at @CarducciKSU or post below during the game and we'll talk about it on the air during the broadcast on WHLO 640 AM