- Golden Flashes secure No. 3 seed with 21st win of season
- Sullinger sinks 6 three-pointers in critical conference clash
- Both teams advance to Rocket Arena quarterfinals starting Thursday
In a heated Mid-American Conference finale, Kent State demonstrated why they’re considered dark horse contenders for the tournament crown. The Golden Flashes’ backcourt synergy proved decisive, with Jalen Sullinger’s perimeter mastery (6-9 from deep) offsetting Eastern Michigan’s interior dominance. This victory extends Kent State’s recent dominance in MAC play, marking their fourth consecutive winning conference season.
VonCameron Davis delivered an all-around performance that analytics departments will study, combining 50% field goal accuracy with defensive hustle (4 steals). The real story emerged in bench contributions – Kent State’s reserves outscored EMU’s by 11 points, a critical factor in tight tournament-prep games. Regional sports economists note that MAC Tournament games in Cleveland typically generate $2.3M in local revenue, adding stakes beyond bracket positioning.
Emerging MAC Trend: Last 5 tournament champions averaged 9.2 three-pointers per game. Kent State’s 10-for-21 performance (47.6%) from deep suggests they’re peaking at the right moment. Meanwhile, Eastern Michigan’s Christian Henry showcased why he’s a dark horse for All-Conference honors, stuffing stat sheets with 18 points and 6 assists despite the loss.
Cleveland’s Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse – hosting its 18th consecutive MAC Tournament – becomes the battleground for these programs. Historical data shows No. 3 seeds reach semifinals 68% of time, but Western Michigan’s physical frontcourt presents unique challenges. For EMU, their first-round matchup against Miami (Ohio) offers redemption; the Eagles won the teams’ January meeting 78-72 in overtime.