Gillespie Records Double-Double in First Win in MAC Play
Kent State shows UMass what MACtion is like in their first win of the season
Photo Courtesy of Kaily “KG” Godek, sMACk Talk
The Kent State Golden Flashes (10-2, 1-0 Mid-American) defeated the Massachusetts Minutemen (8-4, 0-1 Mid-American) 69-59 on Saturday afternoon.
The game started with the Golden Flashes winning the tip-off and missing a three-pointer. Jayden Ndjigue started off the scoring for the Minutemen and the game with a layup. Kent State responded back with a three pointer made by Delrecco Gillespie to take a temporary one-point lead. UMass responded back to the one-point deficit with a jump shot by Daniel Hankins-Sanford. After a span of missed shots on both sides, Marcus Banks Jr. connected on two free throws to push the Minutemen lead out to four points. That four point lead would be the largest lead that UMass took in the game as Kent State took the lead shortly after that.
The Golden Flashes found ways to have three-pointers go into the basket against the Minutemen who were in the top-10 in the nation for their three-point defense. Quinn Woidke led Kent State with four three-pointers made, and was the team’s leading scorer. The Golden Flashes pushed their lead out to as many as 14 points five minutes into the second half, but UMass found a way to respond to that push.
The Minutemen came out in the second half and went on an 11-4 run from the under-12 timeout to just before the under-8 timeout. K’Jei Parker and Leonardo Bettiol were key factor in cutting the Kent State lead down to two points. The Golden Flashes responded to the run from UMass by expanding their lead back out to double figures. The Minutemen fell stagnant and did not make a field goal in the final 2:26 of the game.
Kent State had three players in double figure scoring in their win on Saturday afternoon. Woidke led the way for the Golden Flashes with 19 points, Gillespie contributed a double-double with 18 points and career-high 20 rebounds, and Rob Whaley Jr. had 10 points to round out double figure scoring. Dezmon Briscoe contributed 7 points, Morgan Safford had 6 points and 6 rebounds, Rayvon Griffith contributed 5 points, and Cian Medley had 4 points and 8 assists to round out scoring.
UMass had two players in double figure scoring in their first loss in the MAC on Saturday afternoon. Bettiol led the way for the Minutemen with 14 points and 5 rebounds and Hankins-Sanford contributed 11 points and 12 rebounds earning his second consecutive double-double and the fourth on the season. Banks Jr. had 9 points, Dimitri Clerc contributed 7 points and 5 rebounds, Ndjigue had 5 points and 5 rebounds, Parker had 5 points, Isaiah Placide contributed 4 points in his first game back, Dwayne Wimbley Jr. had 3 points, and Danny Carbuccia had 1 point to round out scoring.
UMass returns to action on Monday, December 22 to face the University of Massachusetts Boston Beacons (NCAA D-III) at noon on ESPN+. Kent State has the week off and will return to action on Monday, December 29 to travel to the #6 Purdue Boilermakers (11-1, 2-0 Big Ten) at 7 pm on B1G+.
Photo Courtesy of Kaily “KG” Godek, sMACk Talk
Results from Opening Weekend
Friday, December 19
Akron Zips (9-3, 1-0) defeated the Eastern Michigan Eagles (6-6, 0-1) 93-72.
Saturday, December 20
Toledo Rockets (6-6, 0-0) defeated Lourdes (NAIA) 100-67.
Buffalo Bulls (10-2, 1-0) defeated the Western Michigan Broncos (5-7, 0-1) 88-71.
Kent State Golden Flashes (10-2, 1-0) defeated the Massachusetts Minutemen (8-4, 0-1) 69-59.
Miami (OH) Redhawks (12-0, 1-0) defeated the Ball State Cardinals (3-9, 0-1) 86-77.
Northern Illinois Huskies (5-7, 1-0) defeated the Central Michigan Chippewas (4-8, 0-1) 74-73.
Bowling Green Falcons (9-3, 1-0) defeated the Ohio Bobcats (5-7, 0-1) 68-58.
Upcoming Games
Monday, December 22 (all times are EST)
University of Massachusetts Boston (NCAA D-III) at Massachusetts Minutemen (8-4, 0-1) at noon on EPSN+.
Miami Hamilton (USCAA) at Ohio Bobcats (5-7, 0-1) at noon on EPSN+.
Milligan (NAIA) at Miami (OH) Redbirds (12-0, 1-0) at 1 pm on EPSN+.
Defiance (NAIA) at Western Michigan Broncos (5-7, 0-1) at 1 pm on EPSN+.
Siena Heights (NAIA) at Bowling Green Falcons (9-3, 1-0) at 2 pm on EPSN+.
Penn State Behrend (NCAA D-III) at Buffalo Bulls (10-2, 1-0) at 6:30 pm on EPSN+.
Eastern Michigan Eagles (6-6, 0-1 MAC) at Wright State Raiders (5-7, 1-1 Horizon) at 7 pm on EPSN+.
Central Michigan Chippewas (4-8, 0-1) at Wisconsin Badgers (7-4, 1-1 Big Ten) at 8 pm on Big Ten Network.