Ohio shot 5% better from the field and 7% better from the 3-point line compared to Kent State. Ohio’s Shereef Mitchell had 25 points in his 32 minutes. Ohio (13-12, 7-5 Mid-American Conference) forced more turnovers. They held Kent State’s leading scorer to shooting 3 for 12 from the field. And Ohio still couldn’t come out with the win, falling 76-75 to Kent State on Friday on the road.
This was in part because of Kent State sophomore Cian Medley’s 24-point outburst. Ohio just couldn’t seem to maintain his scoring, especially from inside the arc.
But the main problem came from Ohio’s own roster.
It has plagued Ohio all year and reared its ugly head yet again as Ohio’s rebounding remained an issue for the Bobcats. Ohio lost the rebound battle yet again, 34-21.
Ohio began the game smoothly, hitting two 3-pointers quickly. The Bobcats’ offensive success allowed them to jump out to an early lead. On a run led by Jackson Paveletzke and Mitchell, Ohio extended its lead to 10 points with a score of 22-12.
The trend of runs continued in the first half, as Kent State (17-8, 7-5 MAC) score seven straight points with less than 10 minutes left in the half. The Golden Flashes eventually stole the lead with two 3-pointers. The Flashes lived up to more than just their name, maintaining a steady offensive rhythm that kept the Bobcats within reach. As the half wound down, they caught fire, fueled by a Jamal Sumlin layup and clutch free throws from Jalen Sullinger, taking a 44-40 lead into the break.
The second half began with an AJ Clayton made jumper, one of his two made shots in the game.
The game went back and forth, with both teams unable to shake the other off of a lead.
Ohio’s most promising lead came with 2:10 left in the game. Elmore James made a 3-pointer to put Ohio ahead 70-66.
Kent State evened the score at 70 with 1:09. The Flashes went up by 1 after Medley was fouled on a drive to the basket. Kent State had a chance to go up 3 with another trip to the line, but only made one attempt to increase Kent State’s lead to 72-70.
Kent State had a dunk, but Ohio’s Vic Searls made a layup for a 74-72 score. Then, Ohio fouled to try to extend the game. Kent State hit both free throws, increasing its lead to 76-72. Mitchell hit a quick 3-pointer to cut into Kent State’s advantage, 76-75.
Ohio had one last chance after Kent State failed to inbound the ball in time and turned it over. Mitchell got the shot off in time, but it didn’t fall.
Up next, Ohio takes on Central Michigan at 7 p.m. ET Tuesday at home on ESPN+. Kent State plays at Bowling Green at 7 p.m. ET Tuesday on ESPN+.
