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NCAA men's basketball scores I Kent State vs Miami, MAC Tournament recap
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- NCAA men's basketball scores I Kent State vs Miami, MAC Tournament recap
CLEVELAND — Rob Senderoff always talks about how tough the Mid-American Conference Tournament is to win.
The Kent State men's basketball coach just wishes his team could have had a shot to do it this weekend.
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Friday's 72-64 semifinal loss to Miami at Rocket Arena brought down the curtain on the Flashes' NCAA Tournament hopes for 2025. Kent State last won the MAC Tournament two years ago. This marks the first time since 2021 they will not appear in the final.
Senderoff coached Kent State to MAC Tournament wins and NCAA berths in 2017 and 2023. This year's team had a shot to be his third.
Kent State Golden Flashes guard Marquis Barnett (2) drives to the basket against Miami RedHawks guard Mekhi Cooper (11) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Mid-American Conference Tournament at Rocket Arena on Friday, March 14, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio. Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal
Instead, a huge shot from Miami's Kam Craft — a 3-pointer with 1:29 left — led to a game-clinching 7-0 run. His fifth 3 was his biggest shot on a 17-point night.
"He made a couple of big baskets," Senderoff said. "The first two times we played them, Kam Craft struggled. We did a great job defensively against him and, quite honestly, I don't think he was in late in the games because of how well we guarded him.
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"He's a good player. Tonight he made some big plays for them."
Craft's heroics and a 23-point performance from Peter Suder helped second the second-seeded RedHawks (24-8) to Saturday's championship game against No. 1 seed Akron . The winner will receive the MAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Kent State guard Cian Medley (11) reacts after the Flashes came up short in the semifinals against Miami during the Mid-American Conference Tournament at Rocket Arena on Friday, March 14, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio. Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal
The Flashes (22-11) were hoping to see the Zips in the final after losing to their rival by a point in last year's championship game.
"I thought we played hard tonight," Kent State senior forward VonCameron Davis said. "it just didn't go our way."
Senior guard Jalen Sullinger almost willed the Flashes to the championship game. He hit six 3s and finished with a game-high 29 points.
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"Like Von said, we played hard. We just didn't win," Sullinger said. "We all expected to win. We thought we were going to win. We just didn't."
The Miami bench goes wild as the RedHawks take over during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against the Kent State Golden Flashes in the semifinals of the Mid-American Conference Tournament at Rocket Arena on Friday, March 14, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio.
It was a tough MAC Tournament for Davis, the Flashes' second-leading scorer behind Sullinger. He scored just three points in the quarterfinal win over Western Michigan and was 4 of 17 from the field against Miami.
"I struggled a little bit, but I wasn't doing anything different," Davis said. "I just missed some shots. I think I could have did a lot better, but it is what it is. The outcome is the outcome."
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Sullinger quickly defended his teammate.
"Von is the hardest-playing guy on our team," Sullinger said. "Nobody cares if he misses shots. We need him on the floor regardless. It had nothing to do with the opponents' defense. He got to his spots. He got where he wanted. The ball just didn't bounce our way."
Kent State Golden Flashes forward Delrecco Gillespie (23) celebrates with guard Jamal Sumlin (4) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Mid-American Conference Tournament at Rocket Arena on Friday, March 14, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Neither team led by more than six before Miami's late run. Kent State was just 11 of 21 from the free throw line. That loomed large in a tight game.
"We've been a great free throw shooting team all year, but we didn't make them tonight," Senderoff said.
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Miami's win completed a three-game series sweep of Kent State. The RedHawks beat the Flashes 70-61 at the MAC Center on Jan. 18 and 96-82 in overtime at home on Feb. 21.
Now the Flashes' hopes rest on an invitation to one of the other postseason tournaments.
Miami RedHawks forward Kam Craft (4) celebrates after knocking down a three late in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Kent State in the semifinals of the Mid-American Conference Tournament at Rocket Arena on Friday, March 14, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio. Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal
"That's what stinks," Senderoff said. "I would have loved to see Jalen, Von ... and all the seniors get another chance to play in the championship game. It's hard."
Here's how the game unfolded through our live updates.
Miami men's basketball advances to MAC Tournament championship game
Miami beats Kent State 72-64. The RedHawks advance to Saturday night's championship game against Akron .
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Jalen Sullinger hit six 3s and had a game-high 29 points for the Flashes.
Miami men's basketball closing in on championship game berth
A massive 3 from Kam Craft with 1:29 left gives Miami a 68-64 lead. Reese Potter will try to increase it at the free throw line with 34.8 seconds remaining after this timeout.
Kent State men's basketball's Marquis Barnett breaks deadlock
Kent State's Marquis Barnett converts a layup, raises his hands in the air and walks over to the seats to high-five Flashes fans.
It's a 60-58 Kent State lead with 5:17 remaining.
Kent State Golden Flashes guard Marquis Barnett (2) hangs his head as Miami players celebrate during the final moments of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Mid-American Conference Tournament at Rocket Arena on Friday, March 14, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio. Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal
Kent State men's basketball's Delrecco Gillespie strong on the boards
Two straight Delrecco Gillespie putbacks have Kent State on top 56-55 with 7:38 remaining. He has a team-high nine rebounds for the Flashes.
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How hot is Kent State men's basketball's Jalen Sullinger?
Jalen Sullinger is 6 of 9 from 3-point range and 8 of 14 from the field. He has 26 points.
Miami leads 47-46 with 11:57 remaining.
Kent State men's basketball regains lead after Miami technical
Jalen Sullinger hits two free throws after Miami head coach Travis Steele is hit with a technical.
Kent State leads 43-41.
Kent State Golden Flashes forward VonCameron Davis (1) has the ball knocked away by Miami RedHawks forward Kam Craft (4) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Mid-American Conference Tournament at Rocket Arena on Friday, March 14, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio. Jeff Lange, Akron Beacon Journal
Kent State and Miami men's basketball tied early in the second half
It's a 41-41 tie with 15:21 remaining.
No one has led by more than six. It's hard to believe this is only the second tie.
Kent State men's basketball leads Miami at halftime
Cian Medley's 3-pointer in the final seconds of the first half gives Kent State a 33-32 lead over Miami.
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Jalen Sullinger has a game-high 16 points for the Flashes. Peter Suder leads the RedHawks with 13 points.
Jalen Sullinger helps Kent State men's basketball regain the lead
Jalen Sullinger drains his fourth 3 of the night. He has 14 points for Kent State.
The Flashes take a 26-25 lead with 4:22 remaining in the first half.
Kent State Golden Flashes coach Rob Senderoff works the sideline during the first half of a Mid-American Conference Tournament semifinal March 14, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Peter Suder's hot shooting pushes Miami men's basketball in front
Miami's Peter Suder is 3 of 3 from 3-point range and 5 of 5 from the field for 13 points.
The RedHaks lead 25-19.
Jalen Sullinger continues hot start for Kent State men's basketball
Kent State's Jalen Sullinger tacks on another 3. He has three on the night and 11 points for the game.
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The Flashes lead 15-13 with 11:47 left in the first half.
Jalen Sullinger hits two quick 3s for Kent State men's basketball
Jalen Sullinger's two 3-pointer account for all of the Flashes' points in an early 6-5 lead over Miami.
And a very pleasant good evening.
Kent State Golden Flashes forward Delrecco Gillespie (23) shoots over Miami (Oh) Redhawks forward Eian Elmer (0) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the semifinals of the Mid-American Conference Tournament at Rocket Arena on Friday, March 14, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio.
How did Kent State men's basketball reach the MAC Tournament semifinals?
Kent State held off Western Michigan 73-66 in Thursday's quarterfinals.
Marquis Barnett hit four 3s and scored all 18 of his points in the first half off the bench for the Flashes. Cian Medley and Jalen Sullinger finished with 13 apiece. Delrecco Gillespie scored 10 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
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How did Miami men's basketball reach the MAC Tournament semifinals?
Miami beat Eastern Michigan 81-75 in Thursday's quarterfinals.
Kam Craft led the RedHawks with 24 points. Reece Potter finished with 15 and Evan Ipsaro added 14.
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This article originally appeared on The Repository: Kent State men's basketball score vs Miami MAC Tournament
