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The Kent State Golden Flashes returned to Earth in Mt. Pleasant Wednesday night. What has marred the Flashes this year is inconsistency, and it struck again at Central Michigan University. The Flashes have now lost to two of the three worst teams in the conference, with a win against Akron sandwiched in between.
The Golden Flashes took a seven point lead into halftime but the Chips would respond in the second half. Late in the second half it seemed as if Central Michigan was going to snag their first MAC win until KK Simmons drilled a huge three pointer to send it to overtime.
In overtime, just like in regulation, the Chips were pulling away down the stretch, but Kellon Thomas answered with a big time three of his own to pull the Flashes within one. Rayshawn Simmons hit a couple of free throws in the closing stages to seal the win for Central Michigan.
For the Chips, John Simons was a man on a mission. Simons scored 22 points, hitting six 3-pointers and grabbing 11 rebounds. Simons also contributed 42 minutes. Chris Fowler added 18 points, while Braylon Rayson and Rayshawn Simmons both added 10 to the cause.
For Kent State, Darren Goodson kept the Flashes in the game. Goodson was an efficient 7-for-11 from the field and added 15 points and 10 rebounds. Kris Brewer led the Flashes in scoring with 17 and Derek Jackson, a former Chippewa, contributed 12 in his return to Mt. Pleasant.
From a Central Michigan perspective, this is exactly what this program needed. The Chips still have a pair of games against Ball State and Northern Illinois, so it isn't inconceivable that they pull themselves out of the basement.
For Kent State, this has been pretty much the norm all year. One game, the Flashes look like a tournament team. The next game, they look like the Washington Generals. Usually the x-factor has been Goodson, however Goodson played very well, and they still lost.
Rob Senderoff seems to have lost a degree of control over the team. The Flashes have been woefully prepared in games that they have been favored to win, and seem to lack any sort of fire in games like Wednesday night's. We will see if Senderoff can find any consistency down the stretch, but as of right now, it doesn't look too good.
Next up for CMU is a home game against Buffalo, while the Flashes will stay in Michigan to take on Eastern Michigan.
