Basketball team victorious in exhibition opener

Junior guard Omni Smith shoots a lay-up during the first half of the Muskingum exhibition game yesterday. The Flashes opening game is Nov. 21 against Delaware State at 7 p.m in the M.A.C. Center.

Credit: Steve Schirra

In front of a crowd of 2,175 people, the Kent State men’s basketball team played its first home game of the season yesterday.

The Flashes claimed a 71-52 victory over Muskingum in an exhibition game.

“We had the chance to play a lot of guys and see a lot of different combinations, and a lot of the younger guys had a chance to play against somebody different,” Kent State coach Jim Christian said. “It gives us a point of reference of where we are and what we need to work on.”

The Flashes’ scoring began with a 3-pointer from junior guard Armon Gates.

In his 16 minutes, Gates made four of five 3-point attempts and both of his free throws.

The Flashes hit six-of-ten of 3-point attempts in the first half, but only three out of nine in the second half.

Gates also was one of three Flashes that put up double figures, scoring 14 points total. Senior guard Jay Youngblood led the team with 15 points. Youngblood also made both of his 3-point attempts.

Senior forward Kevin Warzynski trailed Youngblood and Gates with 10 points.

The Flashes led Muskingum throughout the entire contest, even leading 41-21 with a little over a minute left in the first half.

Youngblood contributed 12 points to the team’s 41-24 lead at the half.

“Obviously our experienced guys played very, very well,” Christian said. “I mean every one of them defensively played well, offensively they did a good job. Our younger guys just need to get more experience.”

“I thought in the second half, defensively they were great,” Christian said. “Offensively, they kind of rushed inside a little bit; we’ll get better as time goes on, but they came to play. Obviously we need to be a little more aggressive on the backboard.”

But redshirt freshman Isaac Knight led the team with nine rebounds, eight of which were on defense.

“He’s a good rebounder,” Christian said. “Obviously, he was very active on the boards and did a lot of good things out there. Defensively, he just needs to understand a little more of what we’re trying to do, but he was aggressive and played with a lot of heart, and that’s what I like to see.”

The Flashes gained their biggest lead midway through the second half, leading the Muskies 69-33 after a jumper from freshman center Brandon Parks.

With 4:44 left in the game, Knight scored the Flashes’ final two points as the Muskies went on to score the last 14 points of the game.

Five-foot-10-inch guard Jordan Mincy had the most playing time of anyone with 23 minutes, but he only put up two points and had two assists.

“I’m trying to just get him a lot of minutes,” Christian said. “Up until the last four or five minutes, I thought he did a good job. But he just made some plays that freshmen make. He’s going to get better, he’s had a good fall. He’ll just have to stay solid.”

Christian added that the team needs to protect it better as well.

“(It) is something we’re going to have to do before we play Delaware State,” Christian said. “We’re just really going to have to guard the ball.”

But as for now, Christian is unsure of who will be seeing the most playing time.

“I think those things get proven everyday in practice and those guys have to earn those spots,” Christian said. “We don’t have a leading scorer. I don’t know who our first sub off the bench is going to be from game to game. Those things have to be earned. It’s not going to be determined on Nov. 13 and it’s not going to be determined against Muskingum.”

The Flashes open the regular season at 7 p.m. on Nov. 21 in the M.A.C. Center.

Contact assistant sports editor Kali Price at [email protected].