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Flashes can improve trajectory with win tonight over Rockets
By Stephanie Storm
Beacon Journal sports writer
POSTED: 09:24 p.m. EST, Feb 02, 2009
Kent State and Toledo have one thing in common midway through the 2009 basketball season: they both have fallen toward the bottom of their divisions in the Mid-American Conference.
But based on last weekend's results, the teams appear to be headed in different directions as the Golden Flashes host the Rockets tonight at the M.A.C. Center in Kent.
Toledo (4-17, 2-5 MAC) is tied for fourth place in the Mid-American Conference West Division.
Kent State (10-11, 3-4) is riding a two-game winning streak after Saturday's surprisingly easy 65-47 win at Western Michigan.
It didn't start well for the Flashes against the Broncos. KSU missed its first nine shots and made just two field goals in the first 13 minutes.
The slow start didn't bother KSU coach Geno Ford.
''In the first 10 minutes, we were like a soccer team, we got good shots on goal but just didn't score,'' he told reporters after the game.
It was easy to have such a positive attitude after the Flashes shot a sizzling 61 percent the rest of the way.
After falling behind 17-6, KSU went on a 15-3 run that helped the Flashes gain a 21-20 halftime lead.
Back-to-back 3-pointers by junior guard Tyree Evans broke open the close game in the second half and the Flashes went on to maintain a double-digit advantage the rest of the way.
''The second half is the best we've had all year,'' Ford said. ''The turning point was when Evans got hot.''
It helped that KSU's defense forced 17 turnovers and held the Broncos to 31 percent shooting, including 2-for-19 from 3-point range.
The Flashes have held their past six opponents to just 17.9 percent on 3-point attempts.
Although KSU still remains in the MAC East Division cellar, the Flashes appear to be turning the corner after a rough start to the season.
Toledo, on the other hand, suffered a 56-43 defeat Saturday at MAC East leader Buffalo that left the Rockets winless in 11 road games this season.
Although the Rockets held the Bulls to a season-low 30 percent shooting, Buffalo committed just eight turnovers and grabbed 18 offensive rebounds.
''Buffalo came out and showed why they're the best team in the conference,'' first-year Toledo coach Gene Cross told reporters after the game. ''The ball wasn't bouncing their way but they did all the little things you need to win.''
BracketBusters
Kent State will play host to Morehead State (Ky.) as part of the seventh annual ESPNU BracketBusters games played Feb. 20-21.
The Eagles, 13-10 overall, lead the 10-team Ohio Valley Conference with a 9-2 mark.
Struggling compared with the success of their past 10 seasons, the Golden Flashes (10-11, 3-4 in Mid-American Conference) are tied for last place with Ohio in the East Division.
MAC schools Buffalo (14-5, 6-1) and Miami (12-7, 5-2) were among a select handful of teams chosen to play in the 13 nationally televised matchups.
Game times will be set Monday.
Stephanie Storm can be reached at sstorm@thebeaconjournal.com.
Kent State and Toledo have one thing in common midway through the 2009 basketball season: they both have fallen toward the bottom of their divisions in the Mid-American Conference.
But based on last weekend's results, the teams appear to be headed in different directions as the Golden Flashes host the Rockets tonight at the M.A.C. Center in Kent.
Toledo (4-17, 2-5 MAC) is tied for fourth place in the Mid-American Conference West Division.
Kent State (10-11, 3-4) is riding a two-game winning streak after Saturday's surprisingly easy 65-47 win at Western Michigan.
It didn't start well for the Flashes against the Broncos. KSU missed its first nine shots and made just two field goals in the first 13 minutes.
The slow start didn't bother KSU coach Geno Ford.
''In the first 10 minutes, we were like a soccer team, we got good shots on goal but just didn't score,'' he told reporters after the game.
It was easy to have such a positive attitude after the Flashes shot a sizzling 61 percent the rest of the way.
After falling behind 17-6, KSU went on a 15-3 run that helped the Flashes gain a 21-20 halftime lead.
Back-to-back 3-pointers by junior guard Tyree Evans broke open the close game in the second half and the Flashes went on to maintain a double-digit advantage the rest of the way.
''The second half is the best we've had all year,'' Ford said. ''The turning point was when Evans got hot.''
It helped that KSU's defense forced 17 turnovers and held the Broncos to 31 percent shooting, including 2-for-19 from 3-point range.
The Flashes have held their past six opponents to just 17.9 percent on 3-point attempts.
Although KSU still remains in the MAC East Division cellar, the Flashes appear to be turning the corner after a rough start to the season.
Toledo, on the other hand, suffered a 56-43 defeat Saturday at MAC East leader Buffalo that left the Rockets winless in 11 road games this season.
Although the Rockets held the Bulls to a season-low 30 percent shooting, Buffalo committed just eight turnovers and grabbed 18 offensive rebounds.
''Buffalo came out and showed why they're the best team in the conference,'' first-year Toledo coach Gene Cross told reporters after the game. ''The ball wasn't bouncing their way but they did all the little things you need to win.''
BracketBusters
Kent State will play host to Morehead State (Ky.) as part of the seventh annual ESPNU BracketBusters games played Feb. 20-21.
The Eagles, 13-10 overall, lead the 10-team Ohio Valley Conference with a 9-2 mark.
Struggling compared with the success of their past 10 seasons, the Golden Flashes (10-11, 3-4 in Mid-American Conference) are tied for last place with Ohio in the East Division.
MAC schools Buffalo (14-5, 6-1) and Miami (12-7, 5-2) were among a select handful of teams chosen to play in the 13 nationally televised matchups.
Game times will be set Monday.
Stephanie Storm can be reached at sstorm@thebeaconjournal.com.
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