TOLEDO, OH - A 20-0 run spanning the first and second halves proved to be the difference in Toledo's 69-49 setback to a veteran Kent State squad on Tuesday evening in Savage Arena. The victory put the Golden Flashes into first place in the Mid-American Conference's East Division, a half-game ahead of idle Akron and Buffalo.
"Kent State pulled away at the end of the half and their 12-0 run to start the second half was the key to the game," Toledo Head Coach Gene Cross said. "That takes the wind out of your sails and to give up 54 percent shooting in the second half is not acceptable. I tell our guys that in order to play at this level that you have to defend and rebound and we didn't do that."
Freshman G Jake Barnett paced the Rockets offensively with 15 points with sophomore C Ian Salter tallying a career-best 10 points.
"A game like this gives Ian more confidence going into practice tomorrow," Cross said. "He got out there tonight and played hard. I was pleased with his progress, and he just needs continue to play harder and rebound better."
Senior G Tyree Evans and sophomore F Justin Greene led a balanced KSU attack with 14 apiece.
The Rockets (3-17, 0-6 MAC) came out of the gates strong for a second-straight home game, surging to a 12-5 lead. The Golden Flashes then tallied 12 straight points for a 17-12 advantage. UT didn't let its deficit get much larger though, and was within 24-21 with just over two minutes remaining in the opening stanza.
That was when KSU took control. Senior F Anthony Simpson and Greene each registered a pair of buckets to give the Golden Flashes a 32-21 halftime lead. Evans connected for a trey on the visitors' first possession of the second half and Greene followed with five straight points to make it a 40-21 contest.
Toledo will be on the road for its next two contests. The Rockets will visit Akron (13-6, 3-2 MAC) on Saturday, Jan. 30 followed by a visit to arch-rival Bowling Green (9-8, 2-3 MAC) on Monday, Feb. 1.
Note: Junior F Mouhamed Lo did not play in tonight's contest after being suspended for disciplinary reasons.
"Mouhamed's suspension is a basketball-related issue," Cross said. "It has nothing to do with anything off the court. and the matter will be handled in our basketball offices."
