Despite fielding a team of players that only averaged 21.5 points per game for Kent State last season, including three key players missing and five debutants, the Flashes gutted out a tough 83-79 season-opening win over hosts Cleveland State on Saturday night.
Kent State (1-0) was without three of its regular starters from last season. Danny Pippen is still recovering from a knee injury suffered over the offseason, leading scorer Jaylin Walker served the first game of an indefinite suspension for violating university policy and Adonis De La Rosa transferred to Illinois.
These holes were filled and then some by the Flashes’ fresh faces and an inspired performance down the stretch from senior Jalen Avery.