As senior night festivities were ensuing before the Kent State men’s basketball team’s matchup against the Western Michigan Broncos on Friday, arguably the Flashes’ most important senior watched from the sidelines, forward Delrecco Gillespie.
A move that flew under the radar for most during the season saw Gillespie be awarded an extra year of eligibility for a previous injury.
“We had put an appeal in on his behalf because he had gotten injured, and he won that appeal,” coach Rob Senderoff said. “I have no idea if he will be back next year, but those conversations will happen in the offseason.”
Following a breakbeat season in which Gillespie had been getting attention from NBA scouts, the forward will get a chance to further develop his skills before hopefully turning professional.
In the Flashes’ 86-78 win over the Broncos, Gillespie did not have his finest performance, shooting six shots all night and finishing with 11 points in the final game of the regular season.
“We appreciate all the folks that come to all the games,” coach Rob Senderoff said. “We appreciate all the dedication from them that makes this a great place.”
The 2025-26 regular season has reached its conclusion with the Flashes finishing 23-8 (14-4), in an excellent season that has been overshadowed by the Miami Redhawks undefeated run.
“Kent has been playing the MAC for over 70 years, and this is the fifth time in those years that our team has won 14 conference games,” Senderoff said. “Great accomplishment for the group.”
Still, Gillespie was a part of a core of six KSU players finishing the night in double figures, propelling the team to win.
Two of those players are the Flashes’ seniors who played their last games in the M.A.C. Center on Friday, forward Rob Whaley Jr. and guard Morgan Safford.
Finishing the night with 13 points and five rebounds, Whaley Jr. fought to get an extra year of eligibility but could not.
A Flash for just one season, Whaley Jr. proved to be a key piece of KSU’s rotation, averaging 11.4 points and 4.3 rebounds per game on the year.
“Rob has worked really hard since he got here,” Senderoff said. “He is, without a question to me, the X-factor for the team heading up to Cleveland.”
The second of the two seniors, Safford, scored an inefficient 14 points on 28.6 percent shooting on the night, but has meant much more to the team than just his on-court play.
“He’s just such a competitive guy, and I think that’s probably the best attribute he has,” Senderoff said. “He has been great since he’s been there.”
In his two seasons as a part of the Flashes, Safford has grown incredibly fond of the people and the school.
“Kent has a special place in my heart,” Safford said. “I have nothing but love for Kent State at the end of the day.”
The next two players in double figures were the junior guard duo, Cian Medley and Jahari Williamson, with 14 and 16 points, respectively.
Williamson finished as KSU’s leading scorer and has become one of the better Mid-American Conference shooters this season, shooting 46.2 percent from the 3-point line.
Finishing off the list, freshman guard Quinn Woidke scored 15 points on five 3-pointers and was a huge spark off the bench that allowed the Flashes to never trail against the Broncos.
“We have a good balance as a group,” Senderoff said. “We shoot the ball pretty well, but we just have to make sure we take care of the ball.”
Most of the season turnovers have kept teams that KSU is better than in much closer games than necessary, and Friday was no different.
Nine times the ball was turned over in the first half by the Flashes, leading to a nine-point halftime lead, on a night KSU was scoring well.
Giveaways were cleaned up in the second half with four, but in Cleveland, teams will capitalize on an excess of turnovers.
“You can’t have those turnovers and be successful in a one-game deal,” Senderoff said. “Things we have to clean up.”
Gillespie was not the only senior gifted another year of college basketball, as forward Magnus Entenmenn will also have the opportunity to return next season.
Only averaging 11.7 minutes on the season, Entenmann has contributed when he has played this season, including against Western Michigan. Entenmann provided solid minutes off the bench, grabbing six rebounds and 2 blocks.
In a matchup that was a three-point game in the middle of the second half, it never felt like the Flashes were not in control, and that is reflected in the eight-point win.
WHATS NEXT
Cleveland is calling, as the Flashes’ regular season is finally complete. Following six days off, KSU will play Ohio University at Rocket Mortgage Arena on Thursday in the first round of the MAC tournament.
The Flashes only squared off against the Bobcats once this season, with KSU getting the best of OU in a 72-57 home win on January 27.
“Next week we all start 0-0,” Senderoff said. “We are going to have to play harder and more committed to what we are trying to do up in Cleveland.”
Josh Szeremet is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected] .
