With time ticking away on what should have been an ugly loss for the Kent State men’s basketball team, graduate forward Morgan Safford fought through contact to convert an and-one layup that sent the M.A.C. Center into a frenzy as he screamed and flexed.
Safford’s heroics led to a Flashes come-from-behind victory over the Eastern Michigan Eagles by a final of 95-91 on Wednesday.
“Great win for us, bouncing back from a disappointing loss over the weekend,” coach Rob Senderoff said. “Really proud of how we responded in the second half.”
Following the win, KSU improves to 18-7 (9-3) and improves its home record to an impressive 12-2.
On the other hand, the Flashes do tend to struggle on the road, sitting at 4-5, and with three remaining games away from home, these matchups could be an important test before the Mid-American Conference tournament in Cleveland.
Over the last couple of weeks, scoring has been a major issue for the Flashes, but signs of life appeared offensively in the meeting with the Eagles. Shooting 49.1% from the field and a sharp 50% from 3-point land is exactly the offensive output the Flashes needed to complement their physicality.
The Flashes rejuvenated offense was led by Safford, who finished with 23 points, including three quick 3-pointers within the first eight minutes, which would set the tone for the rest of his team.
Unfortunately for KSU, when their offense finally appeared, their physicality disappeared.
Eastern Michigan out-rebounded the Flashes 21-6 through the first half and outscored them by 18 in the paint as well.
“It was an emphasis at halftime,” Senderoff said. “The rebounding and point in the paint differential.”
Physicality placed the Eagles in control of the lead at halftime, 47-40, in a half where otherwise KSU played well. Coming out of the locker room, the Flashes’ energy did not feel any different, as much of the first ten minutes of the half were the same.
With just over three minutes into the second half, Eastern Michigan had a possession that included two offensive rebounds, with one over three KSU defenders, leading to a made jump shot from redshirt freshman forward Mohammad Habhab, which perfectly encapsulated KSU’s night up to that point and sucked the air out of the building in the process.
Still, as the Flashes have done plenty of times this year, the team turned up its intensity when their backs were against the wall.
If KSU was going to claw back, a spark would be needed, and it was found in freshman guard Quinn Woidke, who finished with 13 points, but more importantly, three steals that finally produced some stops on defense.
“When I go in, I just try to do my role,” Woidke said. “Try and keep getting better defensively and keep hitting open shots on offense.”
Capping off a Flashes 14-5 run, junior guard Cian Medley finished a layup that forced an EMU timeout and gave the home crowd something to cheer about as they loudly chanted “We are Kent State” on Unity Night.
Free throws have been another struggle for KSU as of late, but it was also a bright spot on Wednesday night. The Flashes finished 29-for-33 from the free throw line, including some pressure-filled shots in the closing moments of the game.
The starters huddled on the giant KSU logo at halfcourt prior to a pair of free throws Medley would need to convert, and as the second shot swished through the net, everyone on the court fist pumped or clapped, putting the Flashes up seven with just three seconds remaining.
The need to finish games better was Senderoff’s biggest takeaway following the Flashes loss to Southern Miss on Saturday, but was much improved against the Eagles.
“We did the things you need to do to win close games,” Senderoff said. “We’ve spent the last couple of days on late-game situations and how to handle those properly.”
Similar to the Flashes’ first matchup with Eastern Michigan, which needed double overtime to crown KSU as a winner, this meeting featured 17 lead changes and 11 ties.
Injuries have derailed the Eagles’ season, and Senderoff does not believe their 3-9 record in conference play reflects their team’s real ability, as both wins for the Flashes were hard fought.
“They had the lead against Akron at home,” Senderoff said. “I think coach Heath is doing an unbelievable job keeping these guys together.”
Looking ahead
The Flashes will not have any time to bask in the win as they immediately head to Muncie, Ind. for a meetup with the Ball State Cardinals on Saturday.
Ball State has not had a great season, sitting at 8-16 (3-8), but has previously snuck out a win against the Ohio Bobcats.
Every conference matchup is important to the final standings, so KSU must take Ball State seriously as the season hits its final stretch.
“I hope the losses help and I hope the wins help,” Senderoff said. “You get all sorts of experience throughout the year and you just want to learn from each one.”
Josh Szeremet is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected] .
