Role players step up in win against Ball State
Kent State Forward junior Gary Akbar makes a layup against Ball State Michigan. Kent State defeated Ball State at the M.A.C. Center 58-53 on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015.
Kent State is now tied for first place in the Mid-American Conference after beating Ball State (7-16, 2-11 MAC) 58-53.
The Flashes (18-8, 9-4 MAC) played their fifth straight game without redshirt sophomore forward Jimmy Hall, who scored 32 points in their first meeting with Ball State. Without Hall, role players such as juniorcenter Khaliq Spicer and junior forward Gary Akbar needed to step up.
“I’m just glad to see guys step up and play well,” coach Rob Senderoff said. “Seeing other guys step up offensively, I think that’s good to see for multiple reasons.”
Spicer scored 10 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, and Akbar added seven points.
Ball State came into the game on a 10-game losing streak and ranked last in the conference but kept the game close. After starting the game off hot from the three-point arc, the Flashes were able to answer back by going on a run of their own. Kent State took an early 17-15 advantage and never trailed again.
Junior Bo Calhoun led Ball State with 18 points, and sophomore Franko House and senior Jeremiah Davis each added 10 points
With the MAC Tournament around the corner, Senderoff isn’t focused on what other teams are doing in the standings.
“The second you start to worry about other teams to stop worrying about your own team,” Senderoff said. “My job is to focus on Ohio (University) on Saturday.”
Tip-off against the Bobcats (9-15, 4-9 MAC) is at 2 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN 3.
Contact Stephen Means II at [email protected].