The Kent State men’s basketball team has been eliminated in round two of the Mid-American Conference tournament following a 75-68 loss to the Akron Zips in front of a wild Rocket Arena crowd Friday.

The Flashes’ MAC season has reached its conclusion with this loss and continues their struggles against “The School Down the Road,” being swept in all three games this season. Eight straight losses have plagued KSU against the Zips dating back to 2022.

“We gave great-great effort and played as hard as you can possibly play,” coach Rob Senderoff said. “Just did not make enough shots when it’s all said and done.”

In a similar fashion to the regular season matchups, the Flashes were ultimately outplayed through the first 20 minutes and faced a 14-point deficit going into halftime.

Heading out of the locker room, KSU started to play like time was running out on their season and mounted a comeback, at one point cutting it to a two-possession game.

“We did not want to go out like that,” graduate guard Morgan Safford said. “Just tried to compete and play as hard as we could for the rest of the half.”

Following KSU’s first-round win over the Ohio Bobcats, Senderoff mentioned rebounds and turnovers as areas that needed to be controlled in order to beat the Zips. They were managed during the loss, with both teams at nine turnovers, as well as the Flashes winning the rebound battle by eight.

The issue was timely shooting, as consistently throughout the later parts of the game, the Flashes were missing the big shot that could give them the lead back. Overall, KSU shot under 30% from both the field and the 3-point stripe.

Foul trouble was also another issue that held the Flashes back, as three key players found themselves on the bench at major points in the game.

“I may have been upset with a call here or there,” Senderoff said. “I’m not sitting here thinking the officiating in any way, shape or form is what did us in at all.”

KSU’s pair of junior guards, Cian Medley and Jahari Williamson, were two of the three players.

Williamson scored 10 points with two 3-pointers, while Medley scored seven, but contributed even when on the bench.

“He has had an awesome season,” Senderoff said. “Set the single-season assist record in school history and has been a tremendous leader.”

Consistently, Medley has been the leader the Flashes needed when faced with difficult challenges, such as the matchup with Akron.

“I hope that he’s here for his senior year next year,” Senderoff said. “For me and the way I coach, I need a point guard that’s in the huddles doing the stuff he is doing.”

Arguably the most important of the group, senior forward Delrecco Gillespie, eventually fouled out after notching an inefficient double-double. Gillespie finished the season leading the nation in double-doubles and was one of the most surprising bright spots on the team this season.

“I really just try to keep my head down and work every summer,” Gillespie said. “Trying to be the best person I can be on and off the court.”

Averaging over 18 points this season, Gillespie scored over 10 more points per game than last season and had gotten NBA scout attention before receiving extra college eligibility.

With Gillespie needing to sit, freshman forward Dezmon Briscoe found himself in big minutes. Briscoe scored five points on 2-for-3 shooting, providing important minutes when KSU needed him.

“There was no selfishness involved; everybody was trying to win,” Senderoff said. “After the game, some guys were taking blame that had absolutely no reason to take blame.”

Despite the Flashes playing with passion, senior guard Shammah Scott hit multiple big shots for the Zips that put the last nail in the coffin for KSU’s season.

“To me, this is the best team we have played against in my time here,” Senderoff said. “No disrespect to Miami, but in my eyes, Akron is the better team.”

What’s next

With the MAC tournament in the rearview mirror, the Flashes will have to wait until Sunday to find out if they will have more basketball to play in the 2025-26 season. Selection Sunday for the National Invitation Tournament will occur two days before the tournament begins on Tuesday.

KSU previously played in the NIT last season, which saw them collect two wins before dropping a matchup with Loyola University Chicago in what was a very successful tournament for the program.

Postseason tournaments will be Safford and Whaley Jr.’s final opportunity to play in a Flashes jersey.

“If we get a chance to play, I think we would be excited,” Senderoff said. “I’m looking at the numbers and saying I don’t know if we will.”

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