Sloppy play and inconsistent offense gave the Kent State men’s basketball team a 66-59 loss to Cleveland State last night in Cleveland.

The losing effort was the Flashes’ (4-3) second straight, and their first loss to Cleveland State (5-3) in seven meetings.

The Vikings held a 14-point lead at one point in the second half, but a long scoring streak by the Flashes brought it down to four points.

Kent State was unable to get any closer.

“We fought hard, but we kept shooting ourselves in the foot every time we came back. We can’t do that against a good basketball team, and we can’t do that on the road,” saod Kent State head coach Jim Christian.

Cleveland State, and former Kent State, coach Gary Waters said his team came into the game with goals of out-rebounding and shooting a better field goal percentage than the visiting Flashes, both of which his team accomplished.

“When you can shoot (39) percent and still win, that’s something to be proud of,” Waters said.

Cleveland state also drained 10-of-22 3-pointers compared to Kent State’s 5-of-17.

This was the second meeting between Waters and his former team and his second win. The first came when he coached Rutgers to a 55-52 win last November.

The Flashes played most of the game without their leading scorer and rebounder, junior forward Haminn Quaintance, who was out do to a strained groin.

Sophomore forward Julian Sullinger stepped up to fill his shoes and ended the game with a team-high 12 points and eight rebounds.

Kent State continues its four-game road trip Dec. 9 when it travels to face IPFW.

Contact assistant sports editor Sean Ammerman at [email protected].