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

Live Blog of Kent State at Seton Hall ... but keeping tabs on Kent State vs. Miami

POSTGAME THOUGHTS FROM SETON HALL                    And following along with Kent State vs. Miami at Dix

Looking back at that finish here in Newark, even if Manley doesn't step out of bounds with nine seconds left and the Flashes get a look at a game-tying three ... or if they had miracles a tip-in after the Thomas layup and missed free throw with three seconds to go ... it was going to be difficult to find a way to win in overtime.

Brewer was the leader all night long, and he was already on the bench with five fouls. All of the Flashes bigs had four fouls. Thomas had four fouls.

The biggest missed opportunity came after the Brewer three gave Kent State the lead. After a steal and a one-on-one race to the other end, Goodson's contested layup just rolled off the rim. The Flashes had a chance at an offensive rebound and just couldn't get it. Seton Hall was reeling a bit at that point from the Kent State run. Who knows how what happens if it had continued?

 And even with the missed opportunity, it was a great hustle play and fantastic effort by Goodson, who had a hard time creating his own points again tonight, but kept finding ways to create for others down the stretch. His scoop to Spicer for a dunk was fantastic. And he kept finding open shooters in the corners with inside-out passes that are so key to making the Kent State offense work.

This is a fun team. I hope the fans embrace them and take advantage of this seven-game home stand that really is a nice pre-holiday gift. Homestands like this don't come along very often ... if ever. I'm going to have to dig into the record book to see if Kent State has ever had seven in a row at home before.

Meanwhile, back at Dix Stadium ... the Flashes have made it a two possession game on a 20-yard touchdown run by Dri Archer. 

Again, good to see a senior who has meant so much to the Kent State football program make a big play in his final game in front of the home fans. 

I'm continuing to watch the game on the SlingBox here at the Prudential Center as I file the men's basketball game story for www.kentstatesports.com.

Senderoff just stopped by to talk. He is frustrated and disappointed, but also very pleased with the hard work from his players. He's also excited about the way several young players stepped up. Thomas was fantastic again off the bench. He was a key to the comeback in the final six minutes. Spicer continues to get better. I am believing more and more that he can be a special player. He has great length and athleticism. He has added some size, and his motor keeps getting better.

11 p.m. ... Update from Dix Stadium ... It's final. Kent State has beaten Miami 24-6. 

Great to see Anthony Melchiori add another field goal. Along with Nate Terhune, that's another Kent State player who has worked hard to come back ahead of schedule from injury.

I saw Melchiori in the hallway of the M.A.C. Center two weeks ago and asked him how his hamstring was feeling, and he told me he planned to be back for this game. He was true to his word.

Kent State out-gained Miami 447-to-176, including a 300-to-112 advantage on the ground.

Flashes fans got a chance to see some Thunder and Lightning tonight as Trayion Durham and Dri Archer combined for almost 200 rushing yards. Durham finished with 111 on 17 carries while Archer ran for 83 on 12 carries. Both reached the end zone.

And in his final game at Dix, Tyshon Goode led all KSU receivers with 51 yards on four catches. Reardon had an efficient night with 147 yards on 13-for-22 passing.

Speaking of Terhune, great to see him get a sack to help cap his impressive comeback from a broken leg. The last game at Akron was his first start. Now he adds a sack in a six-tackle night. Colin nix also got a piece of a sack as the Flashes combined for four sacks of Miami's quarterbacks.

Ohio University is reeling a bit after losing 30-3 at Buffalo and 49-0 at Bowling Green in the last two weeks. The Bobcats are giving up a lot of points and some big yardage on the ground. Buffalo ran for 252 yards in its win. Bowling Green ran for 207. 

Hopefully tonight's game and the success of Durham and Archer has the running game feeling its oats a bit heading into that Nov. 19 game in Athens.

SECOND HALF FROM SETON HALL

(First half of Kent State-Miami at Dix Stadium)

We are at halftime at the Prudential Center in Newark...

Meanwhile, Kent State and Miami have kicked off at Dix Stadium.

I have the SlingBox streaming the football game on my laptop as I sit here at Dix Stadium. Great technology to be able to do that.

I remember a few years back how difficult it was to watch live as Kent State played a men's basketball game at Ohio State while the Flashes football team was at Virginia Tech. The SlingBox technology was around, but arenas like this didn't have such great wireless signals to allow for the live stream at court side.

13:18 ... The one-sided officiating continues. Auda has lowered his shoulder for clear offensive fouls twice in the first seven minutes of the second half. Both were called blocks against Kent State.

The Flashes briefly cut the Seton Hall lead to six points, but the constant whistles are making it difficult ... but not impossible.

Although Henniger just picked up his fourth foul. Overall fouls 22-9 in Seton Hall's favor.

Melvin Tabb just picked up No. 4 on a questionable-at-best call with 12:30 to play.

Lead for Seton Hall is now 56-45.

Meanwhile, at Dix Stadium ... The Flashes are down early 3-0 on an early RedHawks field goal.

And now Kent State takes the lead on a Trayion Durham 2-yard touchdown run. A key 14-yard hookup from Reardon to Tyshon Goode set up the score.

Great to see Goode making plays in his final game at Dix Stadium...

And also fantastic to see Anthony Melchiori in the game, coming in to kick the extra point off of a hamstring injury.

7:59... Kent State continues to hang in there, thanks to some youngsters. Kellon Thomas dishing to Spicer for a dunk. Ortiz, after a tough first half, draining a three from the top of the key.

A three-point play off a drive by Thomas has cut Seton Hall lead to 64-57.

4:46 ... Kent State has taken the lead with a 13-2 run. Brewer 3 put the Flashes on top 67-66 with 4:52 to play. Goodson with a great pass to Spicer for a dunk right before it.

The defense has been fantastic.

Brewer now has 24 points on 8-for-11 shooting, including 4-for-4 from 3-point range.

You could see Brewer lag back and call for the ball on an early transition 3 from the right wing, and Thomas found him in rhythm for the open jumper.

1:34 ... Timeout for Kent State after two Edwin free throws extend Seton Hall lead to 74-71.

Brewer has 28... and a few seconds back hit a beautiful runner on a step through around Teague.

0:21 ... Big sequence ... A Manley 3-pointer and a Kent State timeout ... After the timeout, Seton Hall called for five seconds.

Now the officials are gathered at the table as Seton Hall is pleading that it called a timeout. Auda didn't call it. Bench is on the other side of the floor.

It's Flashes ball.

0:17 ... Manley got a look from the corner. Rimmed out. Ortiz got a hand on the rebound, but knocked it out of bounds. Seton Hall ball.

0:13 ... Sina to the foul line ... misses the first. Flashes will have at least a shot to tie.

Sina hit the second.

Flashes looking to tie it.

0:09 ... Manley stepped out of bounds as the Flashes tried to set up a three. Handoff near the sideline, and Evon Burroughs was on top of it.

0:07 ... Manley may have taken an elbow ... Officials don't give KSU the call, despite the fact that Manley is bleeding

0:03 ... Thomas with a driving layup down 4 ... flips it in and draws a foul.

Manley misses the free throw as Henniger had a chance to tip the rebound. Seton Hall gets it.

Pirates escape.

But the Flashes show incredible heart.

Kris Brewer was brilliant with 28... 9-of-12 from the floor. Perfect 4-of-4 from the arc ... 2 assists and just 1 turnover before fouling out.

The big number ... Seton Hall 32-of-43 from the foul line. Kent State 14-of-18.



Seton Hall 78, Kent State 76

Meanwhile at Dix Stadium ... Kent State is driving again on Miami and trying t build on a 14-6 lead.

Reardon to Goode again with 1:04 to play in the first half has the Flashes on the move.

A 1-yard touchdown run by Reardon earlier in the second quarter extended the Flashes' lead to 13-3.

Patterson has two field goals for the RedHawks. His 33-yarded with 8:34 to play in the first quarter gave Miami the early lead. He hit a 28-harder just a few seconds ago to pull the RedHawks within 8.

FIRST HALF FROM SETON HALL

15:15 ... Another rough situation for Kent State, playing 8-on-5 basketball again.

Already 7 fouls against Kent State. Just 1 on Seton Hall, and the Pirates of course are on an 8-0 run.

11:55 ... Kent State has already been called for 11 personal fouls. Seton Hall just 2.

Evon Burroughs, Andrew Maira, Steve Ruppenthal as in control of this game as Seton Hall.

Yes, the Pirates are attacking the basket. But Kent State has as well, and been banged without a call. Clear travel also missed by the officials early, leading to a three-point play by Edwin, who took a jump step on a fast break ... and then one more step.

Kent State lucky to be in this game at 16-8.

7:46 ... Great poise by Kent State. Despite a 14-5 foul differential, the Flashes trail by just seven points at 23-16. And KSU has the ball coming out of a timeout.

Manley struggling from the perimeter after an early 3. He is 1-for-6 from the floor.

Flashes going with Henniger now despite 2 early fouls.

3:20 ... Kent State still in touch. Down 36-27 and Kris Brewer has 8 after a rough night in Temple.

Henniger with a nice drop step to a hook on the possession before.

1:09 ... Still Tremendous poise by Kent State. Trailing by just 8 points at 40-32 despite a tough (and that's as nice as I can be. Kris Brewer has been just fantastic with 13 points.

HALFTIME ... Down just nine points at the half, 42-33 ... In an 8-on-5 game, I'd consider that a victory for Kent State.

The Flashes were down 8 early in the second half at Temple when they got another tough first-half whistle. The calls evened out. Kent State maintained its poise. And the Flashes came back to win.

Seton Hall has 10 fouls. Kent State 17. The Pirates are 16-for-21 from the foul line. Kent State is 9-for-12.

Brewer has been fantastic after a tough first 35 minutes at Temple. Building off his strong finish in the close against the Owls, the point guard has 13 points on 4-of-6 from the field, 1-of-1 from the arc, and 4-4 from the foul line.

Rebounding is an issue. Kent State has been out-rebounded by a 17-10 margin.

A few Flashes have really struggled. Manley is just 1-for-7 from the field and 1-of-5 from the arc after an early 3. If he gets going in the second half, the Flashes will have a good chance to close this gap. Kent State needs more out of Chris Ortiz when he is on the floor. Darren Goodson is just 1-for-4.

At least the Flashes have avoided serious foul trouble for any individual. Henniger, Goodson, Thomas, Spicer and Tabb all have 2 fouls.

Senderoff was forced to play offense-defense with Henniger on offense and true freshman Marquiez Lawrence on defense (playing out of position at center) for much of the last seven minutes of the opening half.

PREGAME AT SETON HALL

5:21 p.m. ... We are a little more than an hour and a half away from tip in Newark.

This is a big game for Kent State in trying to continue to continue to build confidence against a very talented Seton Hall team that has an NBA prospect in 6-foot-6 wing Fuquan Edwin. Some of you may remember former Georgia Tech star Brian Oliver. Well, he's no relation to Seton Hall sharpshooter Brian Oliver, who just happened to transfer to the Hall from Georgia Tech. I made the assumption that he had to be Brian's son. 

I'll be providing color commentary to Dave Wilson's play-by-play on WARF Fox Sports 1350 AM ... The Kent State-Miami football will be on WHLO 640 AM.

For the live stream of the Flashes vs. Seton Hall, visit sportsradio1350.com.

There is also an iHeart link to the Flashes vs. Seton Hall at www.iheart.com/live/Fox-Sports-Radio-1350-AM-213/

I'll also be blogging live here from court side, so if you have any questions or comments during the game, post them below or tweet me at @CarducciKSU

It's a multi-task evening, as I'll also be checking in via SlingBox with the Kent State-Miami football game. So look for a mix of football and basketball on tonight's blog.

5:58 p.m. ... This is also a big night for Kent State head coach Rob Senderoff in that he'll want his team to put its best foot forward on a night when he'll have more than 50 friends and family in the building.

Senderoff grew up nearby on Long Island. That's also why he is a diehard New York Jets and Mets fan.

His parents were at Monday's win at Temple, so hopefully they continue to be good luck charms. I believe they were also in attendance when Kent State last beat a Big East team in its own building. That was Senderoff's first game as the Golden Flashes' head coach two years ago at West Virginia.

Speaking of good luck charms ... Kent State always likes to stick with a uniform color that works. The Flashes are 2-0 in gold, so of course they are wearing gold again tonight here in Newark. And if they win tonight, you can bet they'll wear the gold again on Sunday when they host Saint Peter's.

6:34 p.m. ... A great matchup tonight as Derek Jackson tries to lock down Fuquan Edwin. Jackson has already shown off his talent on defense in Kent State's two wins, but this is a bit of a different assignment for the 6-foot-2 guard. Edwin is 6-6 and he can be as good from the perimeter as in transition. Jackson will hope to keep Edwin shooting from the perimeter with as many contested jumpers as possible.

The Flashes will have to guard three-point shooters at the 1-to-4 spots tonight. And they'll also have to keep the Pirates off of the offensive glass. Size in 6-foot-9 forward Patrik Auda and 6-9 center Gene Teague could be a problem. Auda is a face-the-basket lefty who will shoot the three but also looks to attack the basket. Teague is a load at 270 pounds. Keeping him from getting deep touches will be a key for the Flashes.

Live Blog: Kent State Men's Basketball at Temple

SECOND HALF

14:16 ... Kent State trying to overcome another fairly quick start by Temple. The Flashes were down eight before another athletic move to the basket by Jackson, hanging in the air to bank in a floater in the lane.

Some careless passing led to a mini run by Temple.

Dev Manley gave Kent State a brief lead with a three on the break from just in front of the Flashes bench. KSU's coaches were yelling "spot up Dev, spot up Dev," and Jackson found the shooter for that wide-open three.

11:26 ... K.K. Simmons just answered a Quenton Decosey three with a three of his own from the right corner. Great find by Goodson who wanted to shoot the jump hook, but that was taken away by Dingle.

8:20 ... Flashes playing hard, but haven't quite been able to get over the hump. Kent State cut the lead to 1 point briefly on a 3-pointer by Thomas in the left corner, but Temple has put together one more mini run to take a 65-59 lead.

Darren Goodson has had a tough time converting in the post, but he has made up for it with his hustle and his ability to set up his teammates for open threes. The Thomas three was set up by an inside-out pass from Goodson. K.K. Simmons drilled a three minute earlier thanks to another drive and kick from Goodson.

4:35 ... Kent State with its first lead on a Mark Henniger layup. Henny won't have big numbers tonight, but he's made some great basketball plays to aid this Kent State spurt. Hustling on the floor for loose balls, x-ing out and getting some big rebounds in traffic.

3:05 ... Another steal by Jackson. Two missed shots right on top of the basket. Opportunity missed, but great hustle all the way around ... defense didn't lead to points, but still three shots at the rim and an extended possession holding a three-point lead

2:25 ... Switch to a 2-3 zone is taking away Temple's aggressiveness. The Owls are settling for long threes, and they haven't shot it well from the perimeter all night.

Love the way Kent State is playing defense right now. Jackson, Goodson, Henniger ... all of them closing out in control with hands high to challenge shots. Giving up size, but still for the most part holding Temple one and out.

This is a fun team. Hopefully Kent State fans will embrace this group.

1:14 ... You had to know that Kris Brewer would have a say in this game. His frustration has been obvious all night long, but despite the 0-for-5 shooting start, he hits a huge basket on a floater to the right of the rim. Vintage Brewer, squaring to the basket in the air.

0:55 ... Brewer clutch in the stretch again, hitting two free throws for a 77-71 lead. Struggled all night, but making plays when they count.

0:22 ... A huge break for Kent State. K.K. Simmons misses two free throws, but Temple's bobbles the easy rebound and loses it out of bounds. Kent State basketball trying to extend this 77-73 lead.

0:20... Another big play by Brewer, getting back and planting to take a charge from Cummings, who had come up with a steal and was attacking the basket. It looked like a sure thing that Temple would be back to within two. Instead, Kent State basketball.

I believe that was Mike Stuart with the call. A gutsy call. Even if it is the right call, you usually don't get that one on the road at this stage of a game in a place like Temple.

0:16 ... Two clutch free throws by Dev Manley. It's 79-73. Close this one out...

0:00.7 ... Rob Senderoff just walked over to me and said "we tried to give this one away five times." It's true, a few careless turnovers and a few clutch baskets, including a three by Cummings – his first basket of the second half – briefly cut the KSU lead to two points at 79-77.

But Manley calmly drilled two more free throws. Kent State will get a big win.

Cummings led Temple with 17, but just the one basket in the second half. Credit much of that to the defense of Jackson and Brewer.

Jackson and Manley led KSU with 17. Good to see Manley get hot. I repeat what I said and wrote on Friday night ... Kent State fans are going to love Jackson.

Goodson struggled from the field, shooting just 4-for-13 while scoring 12, but he was a big reason the Kent State offense worked as he promoted inside-out ball movement, attacking the rim or posting up and then finding open shooters in the corners.

Henniger made some great basketball plays down the stretch. Solid defensively. Hustling and hitting the floor. Oh, and he hit the layup that gave Kent State the lead for good.

Kellon Thomas showed some toughness tonight. He finished with 11 on 4-of-6 shooting and made some key shots as the Flashes tried to hold off a Temple run early in the second half.

And then there was Brewer. He struggled all night long ... until the end. Big shot. Takes an even bigger charge. Big free throws.

One of the most enjoyable wins I've witnessed in over a decade covering and working with this program. 

HALFTIME

We knew Kent State's shooters would come around.

Heating up from long distance is the big reason Kent State is in this game at halftime. The Flashes have hit 7-of-13 from the arc while Temple has made just 1-of-6.

Overall, however, Kent State is just 13-for-33 from the field for 39 percent. Part of that has to do with the Flashes inability to draw a whistle when they attack the basket.

The foul situation is pretty ugly: 13 on Kent State. Just 6 on Temple. And it's not as if the veteran crew of Kevin Fehr, Karl Hess and Mike Stuart haven't had their opportunities to blow the whistle on the Owls. Manley was knocked to the ground on a jumper with no call. Goodson and Jackson both got hit at the rim without a whistle.

Fehr is a former NBA official and Hess and Stuart are longtime college officials with plenty of big games under their belts.

Jackson drilled an off-balance three with the shot clock expiring and just 5 seconds on the first-half clock, cutting the Temple lead to just four to and a 7-0 Temple run.

Jackson has 13 points to lead the Flashes.

Will Cummings has been great for Temple, scoring 14 points while going 8-for-10 from the foul line. Kent State as a team has made just 5-of-9 free throws.

The Flashes played almost the entire half without Mark Henniger, who picked up two quick fouls trying to guard Anthony Lee. Khaliq Spicer came in and played well, but also picked up two fouls.

FIRST HALF

17:01 ... Quick timeout early as Kent State is struggling on the defensive end. The Flashes have given  up easy baskets as the Owls slipped a screen and took advantage of an error guarding a ball screen.

15:54 ... Kent State has cut into an early 10-3 lead with a couple of baskets. Good to see Manley hit his two early jumpers, including a three to cap the first possession of the game. He had been struggling from the perimeter. On his 15-footer a few minutes ago, he used a nice little pump fake to create the open look.

Melvin Tabbis in at center. He did not play against Ohio Northern due to a one-game suspension, but Senderoff said he would be the first big off of the bench tonight.

Flashes have struggled with the length of Anthony Lee.

12:49 ... Temple with a 7-0 run is now up 19-10. Lots of problems to solve on offense. Too many quick or flat-footed shots. If the Flashes are going to keep taking long jumpers, Senderoff wants those shots to come off go good action.

7:22 ... Kent State doing a nice job of weathering the storm. A timeout did the trick. Since Senderoff's last timeout, the Flashes offense has found some good looks at the basket. Dev Manley continues to heat up, drilling a three to cut the Temple lead to 28-23.

Manley has 8 points on 3-of-5 shooting, 2-of-3 from three. He also got hammered on a jumper from just inside the arc prior to this timeout. No call.

The big problem right now is the fouls. Kent State has 8, Temple has 2 ... and Spicer and Henniger both have two.

3:59 ... The Kent State recovery has continued in this first half. Down 10 early all the way to a brief 30-28 lead just minutes ago.

Derek Jackson drilled a three from the right corner to cap a fast break and give the Flashes that lead. A beautiful cross-over to the basket and kick to Jackson by Darren Goodson created it.

0:00 ... Despite a pretty one-sided whistle, Kent State is in the game at halftime, down just four points at 42-38.

PREGAME

5:45 p.m. ... A little more than an hour from tip here at the Liacouras Center. I've arrived safe and sound and just had a little chat at courtside with Rob Senderoff.

He talked a little bit about the team's struggles shooting the ball early. Good shooters like Kris Brewer, Devareaux Manley and Darren Goodson have had as difficult a time hitting jumpers in practice as they did in Monday's opener against Ohio Northern. That's going to change. The Flashes have too many proven shooters for it not to change, but Senderoff would obviously love to see it change as soon as possible. They just need to see a few threes go in to get the confidence rolling.

6:07 p.m. ... Tonight's game brings an interesting connection. Freshman Mark Williams may be in the starting lineup at power forward for the Owls, but it wasn't long ago that the Golden Flashes were in the mix of teams trying to recruit the 6-foot-8 Cleveland native. Williams visited the Kent State campus several times before choosing Temple.

Williams was also a high-school teammate of Kent State starting guard Derek Jackson at Benedictine for a brief time.

When the Flashes are on defense they will have to be aware of Williamson and get a body on him. He had four offensive rebounds in the Owls' season opening win over Penn last week.

The big defensive key may be how Kent State guards Temple's ball screens. The Owls love to ball screen. When they get stops, look for the Flashes to get out and run and work the ball inside out to try to get some good perimeter looks ... and hopefully heat up some of their cold shooters.

Driving to Philly for Kent State at Temple

7 a.m. … I’m taking a little break for breakfast during my drive to Philadelphia for Monday’s men’s basketball game at Temple. From there, I’ll be heading to New York City for a day and a half before making my way across the river for Wednesday’s game at Seton Hall.

Watching Friday’s season opener against Ohio Northern I was struck by the depth of this team. There are 12 players who are or need to be in the rotation. That creates the big question … are there enough minutes available for so many players.

The 12th player added to that list was true freshman Marquiez Lawrence, who looked good in 14 minutes of a somewhat surprising debut in the Ohio Northern win. Lawrence was 3-for-5 from the field for six points and pulled down five rebounds. 

Lawrence is an energy guy, and that’s the reason Kent State decided not to redshirt the 6-foot-8 forward, who will remind some Golden Flashes fans of Haminn Quaintance. He even looked like Q prior to changing his hairstyle before the opener. 

I always think back, though, to Mike Scott, who had essentially a wasted freshman season when he probably should have redshirted. Scott would have made a big difference in 2008-09 as a fifth-year senior. In year one, Kent State didn’t know how Scott fit in. He started out as a two guard who the Flashes thought would be a long-range shooting threat. Two years later, he was a starting power forward.

So, Lawrence needs to play now that he will not redshirt. That minds carving out some minutes for him at the four, where senior Darren Goodson is going to get the bulk of the minutes and sophomore Chris Ortiz also needs time an ankle injury led to an essentially wasted first year.

I keep wondering also if we’ll see senior Mark Henniger play some minutes at the four this year. I liked the few occasions when Henniger played next to Melvin Tabb last season. Right now there are three guys at the five for Kent State in Henniger, Tabb and sophomore Khaliq Spicer. All three of those players are going to need minutes. If Tabb emerges like most junior-college transfers do in Kent in year two, he’ll need to play. Kent State doesn’t have anyone on the roster with his size. Spicer needs to play to continue his development as the future at the center position for Kent State.

Playing time in the backcourt is also going to be a puzzle for Rob Senderoff to solve. It’s a good puzzle, though. Kris Brewer and Kellon Thomas both need time at the point. Derek Jackson and K.K. Simmons both need time at the two. It’s the same on the wing with Dev Manley and Devin Carter. That’s six guys who need minutes, and I’d still like to see Kent State start the development of Tyler Scott. 

It’s a good bet that the rotations will change several times by the time we get into the Mid-American Conference season. 

I’ll be back tonight to blog live from courtside at Temple University. I will also be on the air on WHLO 640 AM, so if you post your questions or comments here on on Twitter (@CarducciKSU), we will address them on the air.

Live Blog: Men's Basketball Season Opener vs. Ohio Northern

FINAL FROM THE M.A.C. CENTER

Kent State 84, Ohio Northern 48

SECOND HALF

15:37 ... Kent State has extended its lead with an 8-0 run to open the second half.

Marquiez Lawrence has made some nice hustle plays and shown some skill since checking in early after Darren Goodson picked up foul No. 3.

Lawrence drained a pretty turnaround jumper from about 8 ft. on the right baseline. He also has a tip-dunk while running the break. 

Jackson is up to 11 points, floating in his only second-half basket to this point after overplaying the passing lane, coming up with an easy steal and outracing ONU to the other end.

11:55 ... If there are any signs for concern with Kent State coming out of this opener it may be turnovers (9) and three-point shooting. The Flashes have hit just 1-of-14 from beyond the arc so far with the only hit being Thomas' just before halftime. In this half alone KSU is 0-for-7.

My gut feeling is that this poor shooting from the perimeter is an aberration. We know Dev Manley can hit from the arc. He is 0-for-3 from three tonight. Brewer led the league in 3-point percentage last season. He is 0-for-2.

4:47 ... The Flashes continue to pull away.

Jackson has just checked out with 18 points. An impressive debut with defense even better than his offense.

Getting our first look at freshman Tyler Scott here in the final five minutes. I had hoped to see more of Scott tonight to get a better gauge of his upside.

2:20 ... The Kent State lead is now 79-42.

Some numbers:

Jackson is 6-of-7 from the field with 4 steals to go with his team-high 18 points.

Goodson has 11 points on 4-of-9 shooting.

Thomas has nine on 4-for-6 shooting.

As a team, Kent State is 30-for-64 for 46.9 percent and just 4-for-19 from 3-point range. The Flashes have held Northern to just 26.5-percent shooting.

HALFTIME

I just realized I typed "first quarter" prior to the start of the game ... I'm still stuck in football mode apparently. No quarters in college basketball. Its halves of course, and Kent State had an impressive first one.

The lead is 41-20 at the break. After sweating out some games against Division II and III teams here over the years, its nice to see the Golden Flashes jump out to a nice lead early.

Defensively, the Flashes have been very good.

Nine steals, including three by Derek Jackson ... although the score sheet only has him with two. Kris Brewer has four steals. So, officially six steals by the Flashes starting backcourt.

KSU has held Ohio Northern to 28.6-percent shooting.

Kellon Thomas has looked very good coming back from offseason knee surgery. The sophomore point guard does not appear to have lost his quickness or his willingness to hit the floor. He drew a charge, tried to draw another, and also raced back to slow two Ohio Northern fast breaks after Kent State turnovers.

Thomas also drilled a three from the left corner just before the buzzer to give the Flashes this 21-point lead.

Jackson is having a very nice debut. He leads the way with nine points. Thomas has seven and Brewer has five. Add another four from Dev Manley and you get an idea of the depth and potential in this backcourt. As a group they can score and defend, and that's a nice mix in the Mid-American Conference where guard play usually leads the way ... especially at tournament time.

FIRST HALF

15:53 ... Kent State up 8-6 early. Some missed assignments early as the Flashes defense has allowed a few wide-open jumpers ... getting away with one, too, when Branden Rushton had a wide-open three from the left wing. He's one of ONU's all-time best scorers and is in their 1,000-point club.

11:39 ... Heading into the 12-minute timeout, Kent State's second unit did a nice job while putting together a 6-0 run.

Devin Carter hit a long jumper from just inside the arc. He has a nice stroke and will give the Flashes another player who can stretch the defense from the three spot.

Khaliq Spicer had a three-point chance on a dunk and a foul. Flashes have done what you need to do against a Division III team, winning the battle of the boards and limiting the Polar Bears to one shot.

7:42 ... Already seven players in the scorebook for Kent State as the Golden Flashes take a 22-12 lead.

Derek Jackson is already flashing those quick hands on defense. Only a minute after his first steal of the season, he picked the pocket of an Ohio Northern player in the backcourt and soared for a dunk to give KSU its 10-point lead.

Interesting to see true freshman Marquiez Lawrence check in during the first half. Early thinking was that the 6-foot-8, 200-pound forward from Marion-Franklin would redshirt this season.

Lawrence should remind fans of Q ... Haminn Quaintance. Similar athleticism and love to run and dunk. He's just not the finished product Q was when he arrived as a transfer from Jacksonville.

3:41 ... Flashes lead is 27-18 and the only real negative so far has been that they have been a bit careless with the basketball. Seven turnovers in the first 14 minutes ... most were traveling calls as players like Kris Brewer and Khaliq Spicer lost their footing while attacking the basket. But the Flashes have also made a few high-risk passes that have led to turnovers.

Flashes shooting it at a 50-percent clip while Ohio Norhtern is at just 31-percent.

Jackson leads with 5 points... four other players have 4 points.

PREGAME

5:57 p.m. ... I'll be blogging live from courtside at the M.A.C. Center for tonight's men's basketball season opener with Ohio Northern.

Several Golden Flashes are wearing blue warmup shirts with the word "Relentless" printed in gold on the back. That's the attitude head coach Rob Senderoff wants to see from this group. Senderoff seems to like the talent and athleticism on the roster. There are some new faces, however, who need to learn what it means to play the "Kent State" brand of basketball. Get on the floor for loose balls ... fight hard for every possession ... sit down defend for a full 35 seconds in a possession and not just 25.

Melvin Tabb is in street clothes tonight. He should be ready for Monday's game at Temple, however.

Anyone else remember the last time Ohio Northern visited the M.A.C. Center? That was back in 2009 when the Polar Bears were within three points just before halftime. KSU kicked the lead back out to 20-plus before ONU made a late run to lose by a respectable score of 75-66.

Ohio Northern has shocked a few Division I schools, including a 72-69 win at Oklahoma in 1980.

In addition to blogging live, I'll be on the radio with Ty Linder. We'll answer your questions posted here and on Twitter (@CarducciKSU) during the broadcast.

The radio broadcast can be heard live on WHLO 640 AM and also on iHeartRadio's Golden Flashes Radio network.

6:49 ... A little more than 10 minutes before tip here at the M.A.C. Center. There's a pretty good student crowd already filing into the north stands nearest the Kent State bench.

The athletic department has put gold pompoms on all of the seats of both student sections.

I'm looking forward to some extended playing time for some guys who may fight for minutes in the early going of 2013-14. That would include Tyler Scott, who will be playing organized ball for the first time in a year after sitting out last season. Scott has high-major ability, but he'll have a learning curve typical of most first-year players.

I have a feeling Derek Jackson will become a fast favorite of Kent State fans with his defensive intensity. He's one of the guys who "got it" with regard to playing Kent State-brand of basketball as soon as he walked in the doors as a transfer.