The Ohio Bobcats’ faithful left Rocket Arena in droves on Thursday following a timeout in the second half.

In the Kent State men’s basketball team’s first round matchup of the Mid-American Conference tournament, a Flashes victory was all but guaranteed following a 31-18 run over the first 12 minutes of the second half as part of an 86-75 win.

“Our guys stayed committed and stayed composed,” coach Rob Senderoff said. “Really proud of the whole group, and we get to play again, which is hard to do up here.” 

Two wins separate the Flashes from their first MAC conference title since 2023. With the Miami Redhawks’ magical season coming to a close earlier than expected following a loss on Thursday, the MAC may be more open than previously expected.

“There are 13 teams in our conference, and only four are playing tomorrow,” Senderoff said. “And we are one of them.”

Through the first half on Thursday, it seemed like this matchup was destined to become a MAC tournament classic, but the Bobcats eventually ran out of steam.

Senior forward Aidan Hadaway kept the Bobcats close early, scoring 20 in the first half, including a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to cut the Flashes’ lead to two entering halftime.

Hadaway cooled off starting the second half, eventually fouling out with under 10 minutes remaining in the game, finishing with 24 points total. Hadaway’s extended absence was felt as KSU took advantage and grew its lead.

In the second half, the Flashes’ lead ballooned to 15 at one point and seemingly had all the momentum, but the Bobcats clawed back and found themselves in a two-score game in the closing minutes of the night.

The Flashes have been on both sides of back-and-forth leads this season, which helped prepare them for other similar situations.

“It seems like every game this season, there has been a moment like that,” Senderoff said. “I don’t think they were phased by it one bit.”

Throughout the course of the regular season, turnovers haunted the Flashes and were one of the issues Senderoff mentioned needing to clean up in order to win games. KSU took that message to heart, only coughing the ball up five times and winning the turnover battle by eight against OU.

“Turnovers are a focus every game, but we are just not always successful,” he said. “That was a huge key for us to win tonight, taking care of the ball at an elite level.”

Despite the positive signs elsewhere, the Flashes were out-rebounded by three against Ohio and only had five bench points.

Both freshman guard Quinn Woidke and redshirt sophomore Rayvon Griffith were the lone bench scorers with three and two points, respectively.

In order for KSU to achieve its championship aspirations, it will need more production in both categories.

“We can’t get out-rebounded against Akron and expect to win,” Senderoff said. “It’s just not going to happen.”

Instead of bench points, four of KSU’s starters finished in double figures, excluding junior guard Jahari Williamson who scored five points on the night.

Leading the team in scoring was senior forward Delrecco Gillespie with 27 points and eight rebounds, good for his highest scoring game since mid-January.

“I have not been playing well as of late, so the coach told me I need to play like the November Reco,” Gillespie said. “Just playing hard for my teammates.”

Just behind Gillespie was graduate guard Morgan Safford, who finished with 24 points, including three 3-pointers. Any remaining game could be Safford’s last, as he is out of college basketball eligibility following the conclusion of this season.

“I’m a senior, so this is my last go around, so I’m going to give it everything I got,” Safford said, “Just survive and advance.”

Efficient shooting was a key to both players’ impactful nights, contributing to a team total of 48% from the field and 35% from beyond the arc.

Defensively, KSU played well, limiting OU to 43% from the field and 23% from three. The Bobcats’ shooting woes, especially from the 3-point line, were a big reason as to why they could not claw back into the lead.

What’s next

Day two of the MAC tournament will see the Flashes take on the Akron Zips Friday at Rocket Arena.

Akron has given KSU major headaches in both matchups this season, taking both wins by a combined total of 39 points.

To put it simply, the Flashes will need to play better in every aspect of the game to have a chance of advancing past the Zips.

“We will have to play better, and what better means is the whole list of things,” Senderoff said. “It will start with rest and recovery and make sure we are on point for everything tomorrow.”

Josh Szeremet is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].