With 22 seconds on the clock, senior center Cli’Ron Hornbeak stole the ball and slammed it home on the other end, giving the Kent State men’s basketball team a four-point lead, and it held on to win 76-75 over the Ohio Bobcats at the M.A.C. Center Friday.

“We made a lot of winning plays down the stretch that you need to make to win tight games,” coach Rob Senderoff said. “Ohio is a good team and competitive group, and I’m proud of the way we responded; we found ways to win the game.”

With just over two minutes left, it was the Bobcats that held a four-point lead, but from a clutch layup from sophomore guard Jamal Sumlin and an and one from sophomore guard Cian Medley, the Flashes were able to get the lead back and win the game.

“It’s a couple games in a row where we’ve found ways to win when the game’s gotten tight,” Senderoff said. “It’s great to see a number of different guys making huge plays down the stretch.”

Medley, a transfer from Saint Louis University, had a season-high 24 points, knocking down eight of his 13 shots on the night.

“I feel like since coming here, my confidence has skyrocketed,” Medley said. “It’s been a blessing for me — I love the position I’m in, and I’m grateful to be here in this great community with great staff and great teammates.”

Medley has been in double-digit scoring in five of the last nine games and has had six or more assists in six of his last 11; he is really growing into his point guard role.

“He brings positive energy daily,” Senderoff said. “His best attribute is that he’s such a positive person in general, and his teammates love playing basketball with him.”

It was a huge conference game for the Flashes, as their win put them in a fourth-place tie with Ohio in the Mid-American Conference standings at 7-5. Knowing the implications, KSU brought the effort all night long on both ends.

“We don’t have quit,” Medley said. “That’s what I love about this team; there’s no doubt. We feel like this is the team to go on a big run and put everything together.”

Hornbeak’s steal was the eighth of the night for the Flashes, and Sumlin was involved in many tie-ups that led to jump balls.

Junior forward Delrecco Gillespie pulled down 12 rebounds, continuing his tear on the glass. He had 14 in the win over Central Michigan, nine in the win over Arkansas State and 18 in the win over Eastern Michigan.

“The more he plays, the better he will continue to be,” Senderoff said. “He’s a guy that works and is humble and wants to be a good player.”

Gillespie’s production in points per game and rebounds per game has increased in each of his first three seasons at Kent State. Right now, he is averaging 6.6 points per game and 7.1 rebounds a night.

“When you think you can continue to get better and try to get better, that’s when you see yourself blossom,” Senderoff said. “It’s great for our team, and it’s awesome to see as a coach to watch him get the opportunity and then take advantage of it.”

Kent State dominated Ohio on the boards 34-21 and 11-3 on the offensive glass.

“We played Kent State basketball — getting stops, getting knockouts, scoring and taking care of the ball,” Gillespie said.

After its loss against Akron Jan. 31, KSU has won four straight and hasn’t been outrebounded in any of those four games.

“We’re some dogs, that’s what we do,” Gillespie said. “We get to the glass, we get offensive rebounds, we box out.”

On Jan. 24, the Flashes were at Ohio and suffered a two-point loss at the hands of the Bobcats. In this one, Kent State was prepared for another close one.

“We’ve really tried to work on late-game execution every day for the past few weeks with two- and three-minute games,” Senderoff said. “We had struggled in terms of executing and doing the things you need to do in close games.”

Medley attests to the hard work KSU has done in practice.

“Those two-minute and three-minute games in practice — we work on it every day, it’s been great for us starting to pay off,” Medley said.

In the loss against OU in its first matchup, Kent State shot free throws at 14-25 (56%). This game, it shot a much better 20-23 (87%). KSU is also second in the conference in free throw shooting at 75.9%.

“The last time we played them, we missed a lot of free throws, and tonight we made them.” Senderoff said. “Hopefully we continue to shoot from the free throw line with confidence. Winning close games requires guys making free throws.”

Senderoff has also made it an emphasis for this team to play physical and draw fouls.

“Early in the season, we were settling a lot for jump shots, and we’ve really made an emphasis on driving the ball and playing with physicality,” Senderoff said. “You see that with us getting to the line — we’ve always been a good free throw shooting team on the season but just getting to the line has been a big point of emphasis.”

Also in double-digit scoring for Kent State was senior forward VonCameron Davis with 10 points, senior guard Jalen Sullinger with 18 points and Sumlin with 10.

The Flashes are now 17-8 overall, the third best overall record in the conference. 

“In February, sometimes teams are at their peak,” Senderoff said. “Hopefully, we’re still working to improve.”

Back on the road

On Tuesday, Kent State will be at Bowling Green to take on the Falcons.

BGSU is in 10th place in the MAC standings at 3-8 in the conference. It is 9-15 overall.

The first matchup saw Kent State win handily, 75-57, at home. KSU has also won its last 11 matchups with Bowling Green.

The Falcons are 7-6 at home, however, and won’t make it easy for the Flashes.

“We’ve really played good teams and we’ve played well, and every game on our schedule is a tough game when you’re in our conference,” Senderoff said.

Andrew Gold is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].