KENT STATE (13-7, 4-2) vs. WESTERN MICHIGAN (11-8, 3-3)

Kent, Ohio | M.A.C. Center | 2:00 p.m.

Kent State won its third consecutive game Wednesday night with a 82-76 victory over visiting Central Michigan at the M.A.C. Center.

KSU (12-7, 5-2) never trailed en route to the Mid-American Conference victory.

In SEC action last night the South Carolina Gamecocks upset #1 Kentucky 68-62 in a game nationally televised on ESPN.  It was Kentucky's first loss of the season.  With the win, South Carolina improves to 12-8 and 3-3 in the SEC.

Former Kent State point guard Jordan Mincy was on the bench as a graduate assistant for South Carolina.  I chatted with Mincy after the exciting win.

Kent State (13-7, 4-2) trailed Toledo in the first half on Tuesday night 12-5 in the early going and it looked like the Flashes might have a letdown after cruising by Akron on Saturday.

The Flashes went on to out score the Rockets 64-37 the rest of the way to coast by the young, struggling Toledo Rockets (3-17, 0-6) at Savage Arena 69-49 in front of 4,358 fans. 

By Stephanie Storm

Beacon Journal sports writer

The Kent State women's basketball program have offered 6-0 junior post Shaniqua Ogle from Lorain Southview High School, according to Lorain City Schools Athletic Director Bryan Koury.

Ogle is currently averaging 17.8 points per game and 11.8 rebounds per game.  Last season as a sophomore Ogle averaged 16.1 ppg and 11.6 rpg.

Justin Greene was named the MAC East Player of the Week for his performances in leading the Golden Flashes to wins over Buffalo and Akron.  Greene averaged 16.5 points per game and 7.5 rebounds per game.  On Saturday against Akron, Greene had 23 points and a career high 13 rebounds.  Greene has increased his scoring from last season by 11.2 points per game, which ranks first in the MAC and in the top ten in the country.  Kent State travels to Toledo and will play the Rockets on Tuesday night.

By Stephanie Storm

Beacon Journal staff writer

KENT STATE (11-7, 2-2) vs. AKRON (13-5, 3-1)

Back on December 7 it looked like Kent State running back Andre Flowers was going to look to transfer to a school closer to his hometown in Tennessee.

Now, Steve Hare at the Kent Sports Report says that Flowers has reconsidered and should be on the roster in the fall.

Geno Ford

on Akron game:   

The Kent State men's basketball team picked a good time to play their best  game of the season.

And while we will not know officially till March, they may have changed the course of their season in the process with an 89-54 blow out over the Buffalo Bulls (10-5, 3-1) on Wednesday night at the M.A.C. Center.

By Stephanie Storm

Beacon Journal staff writer

Steve Hare at the Kent Sports Report is reporting that Kent State football offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach A.J. Pratt is leaving to take an assistant coaching job at Western Kentucky University.

Kent State continues to lose young, talented assistant coaches year after year to other programs that have made more of a commitment to football and can offer their assistants more money.

By Jonas Fortune

Beacon Journal sports writer

KENT - Once again the Bowling Green women's basketball team felt right at home at the M.A.C. Center, defeating Kent State 89-61 on Saturday afternoon.  The Falcons poured in 55 first half points to take a 30 point lead at the break.

2009 MAC Player of the Year Lauren Prochaska finished with 24 points, all in the first half then barely played at all in the second half.

Kent State has offered a scholarship to Cincinnati Colerain junior running back Tyler Williams, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Williams, who is 5-8 and 155 pounds, rushed for 893 yards and eight touchdowns for Colerain last season.

By Michael Beaven

Special to the Beacon Journal

KENT, Ohio – Senior guard Chris Singletary became the second straight and third different Kent State player to be named the Mid-American Conference East Division Player of the Week when he was selected for the honor by the conference office on Monday (Jan. 11).  It is the second career POW award for Singletary. 

Singletary led Kent State to a 2-0 week averaging 13 points, 5.5 assists and 5.0 rebounds as the Golden Flashes posted wins over Norfolk State and at Ohio.  The senior guard, who also shot 81.8 percent (9-11) from the foul line on the week, led KSU to a 62-60 win in the MAC opener on Saturday at Ohio with a game high 22 points and four assists.  The Golden Flashes trailed 60-58 when Singletary converted a three-point play with 33 seconds remaining to put Kent State on top to stay.  In all he scored 16 of his 22 points in the second half. 

ATHENS - Chris Singletary scored 22 points and made a three-point play with 33 seconds left to lift Kent State past Ohio 62-60 on Saturday afternoon. 

With the Golden Flashes (10-5, 1-0 Mid-American Conference) trailing 60-58, Singletary hit a layup and was fouled by Kenneth Van Kempen.

By Stephanie Storm Beacon Journal staff writer

Ford and the Flashes (9-5) will begin to see if the plan was successful today, when they open their MAC schedule at Ohio.

By Stephanie Storm
Beacon Journal sports writer

Rookie Julian Edelman is the player the New England Patriots are counting on to replace injured Pro Bowl receiver Wes Welker in the playoffs.

Dave Carducci on his blog has confirmed what rumors were swirling to me from some other sources that Kent State men's basketball forward Greg Avila will transfer to another school to find more playing time.

Here is the excerpt from the Record Courier blog...

In case you missed it this morning...

Doug Martin on ESPN First Take discussing Julian Edelman

Jamilah Humes and Taisja Jones each scored 20 points to lead host Kent State to a 70-66 win over Ohio in the Mid-American Conference opener for both teams on Wednesday night at the M.A.C. Center.

The Golden Flashes (8-5, 1-0) rallied from a four-point deficit in the final three minutes of the game with a 9-1 run to defeat the Bobcats (4-10, 0-1).

Here are some more media links that are chronicling former Kent State quarterback Julian Edelman and his big opportunity that he has now with Patriots' receiver Wes Welker out with an injury.

Julian Edelman has an attitude - Boston Herald

The Kent State men's basketball team overcame a sluggish start, and posted an 84-66 victory on Monday night over Norfolk State in their final non-conference game before MAC play begins on Saturday.

The Flashes had five players in double figures, led by Rod Sherman with 16 points and 6 rebounds.

Former Kent State quarterback and current New England wide receiver Julian Edelman set career highs on Sunday with 10 receptions for 103 yards in the Patriots 34-27 loss to the Houston Texans.

During the game, Patriots' WR Wes Welker tore his ACL and MCL.  Now Edelman looks to get the biggest opportunity of his young career as the Patriots host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, January 10 at 1:00 p.m. in an AFC Wild Card Playoff game.