KENT — The Kent State Golden Flashes didn’t need to score 100 points to survive this time.
They didn’t need one player to shoulder the load. They didn’t need to rely solely on their veterans to get the job done.
Kent State’s 86-77 win over North Carolina Wilmington on Monday, Nov. 10 was the best game head coach Rob Senderoff’s team played during the early stages of the season. At 2-1, the Flashes haven’t strayed off the trajectory of getting better game by game, week by week.
Ten of the 11 Kent State players who played scored. When things got tight after they led by as many as 22, the Flashes never wavered.
“We did a lot of things well against a really good program and a really good team,” Senderoff said.
Cian Medley scored 19 points and handed out 10 assists to lead Kent State (2-1). Freshman Quinn Woidke hit five 3s and scored 17 points, his second straight double-digit game. Delrecco Gillespie also had a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds.
This balance was a far cry from last week’s 110-102 win over Cornell when the Flashes needed 34 points from Morgan Safford to help push them over the top.
“Everybody who checked in contributed in a really positive way,” Senderoff said.
Woidke is quickly showing signs of being an impact player off the bench. The former Cleveland St. Ignatius All-Ohioan hit 6 of 12 field goals, including 5 of 10 3s, in 17 minutes.
“It has been a lot different since high school,” Woidke said. “Guys are a lot faster, a lot stronger and a lot bigger. Throughout the summer I was able to get adjusted. I feel like I have adjusted pretty well since.”
Woidke’s teammates have taken notice. Prior to the postgame news conference, Medley looked at Woidke’s stat line and simply told him, “Nice shooting, bro.”
“That’s my rook,” Medley later said. “I honestly feel like he’s way better than I was when I was a freshman. His confidence level is through the roof. He puts are tremendous amount of work in. He cares about the game. He loves the game. He’s a great person. It has been fun to be able to play with him.
“When I was a freshman I always looked up to the older guys. It has been fun to be able to take him under my wing. … I think the sky’s the limit for him.”
UNC Wilmington’s 77 points was a season low allowed by Kent State. In addition to the Cornell game, the Flashes gave up over 100 points in their season-opening overtime loss to Troy.
“Scoring 100 is great, but giving up 100 isn’t great,” Senderoff said. “This was much more along the lines of where we’d like to be defensively and where I think we need to be defensively.”
UNC Wilmington was on the brink of getting blown out after falling behind 33-11 in the first half. The Seahawks cut Kent State’s lead to 43-34 and were within one point twice in the second half.
The Seahawks were within 67-65 with seven minutes left. The Flashes ended the game on a 19-12 run.
“I just love how we bounced back,” Medley said. “Whatever run they went on, we didn’t get too down. We kept our composure and just played Kent State basketball.”
Here’s how the game unfolded through our live updates.
Kent State beats UNC-Wilmington 86-77
UNC-Wilmington makes a big comeback after trailing by as many 22, but the Flashes hold on and earn their second win.
Cian Medley led Kent State with 19 points. Freshman Quinn Woidke hit five 3s and finished with a career-high 15 points. Delrecco Gillespie added 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Kent State regains lead on Rob Whaley Jr. 3-pointer
A Rob Whaley Jr. 3 gives Kent State a 66-63 lead with 7:42 left in the game.
There were no signs of this game getting tight early on.
UNC-Wilmington catches Kent State, Flashes regroup
UNC-Wilmington tied the game early in the second half, but Kent State has opened its lead back up to 57-51.
Quinn Woidke has hit five 3s and leads the Flashes with 17 points.
Kent State leads UNC-Wilmington 43-34 at halftime
Basketball is a game of runs, they always say. UNC-Wilmington went on one at the end of the half to keep this game close.
Cian Medley leads Kent State with 10 points.
Seven 3-pointers help push Kent State’s lead to 21
UNC-Wilmington is 6 of 26 from the field. Kent State is 7 of 17 … from 3-point range.
Cian Medley and Quinn Woidke have each hit a pair of 3s for the Flashes, who lead 36-15 with 6:10 left in the first half.
Kent State off and running against UNC-Wilmington
Just like that, Kent State has opened up an 18-4 lead with 11:56 left in the first half.
After giving up over 100 points in their first two games, the Flashes are on pace for their best defensive night of the season.
Kent State’s Morgan Safford earns Mid-American Conference honor
Kent State’s Morgan Safford is the Mid-American Conference Co-Player of the Week.
Safford averaged 27.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals in the games against Troy and Cornell. He hit nine 3-pointers and scored a career-high 34 points in the Flashes’ win over Cornell.
The MAC weekly award is the first of Safford’s career.
Kent State projected starters vs. UNC-Wilmington
Kent State women’s basketball team pulls away from Walsh, earns first win
Mya Babbitt scored 16 of her game-high 2e points in the second half to help lead the Kent State women’s basketball team to a 79-55 win over Walsh.
The Flashes outscored the Cavaliers 38-20 in the second half to earn their first win of the season. They pulled away after Walsh cut a 16-point Kent State lead to 1 early in the second half.
Corynne Hauser hit four 3s and finished with 21 points for the Flashes (1-1). Kiley Dyrlund led the Cavs with 15 points.
This was an exhibition game for the Cavs, who are led by first-year head coach Johnny Montello.
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This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Kent State men’s basketball score, recap, highlights vs. UNC-Wilmington
Reporting by Mike Popovich, Canton Repository / Akron Beacon Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
