By Jeysla Gonzalez
3 18 2025
ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – Kent State Men’s Basketball (23-10) tallied their first postseason win since the 2014-15 season on Tuesday night defeating St. Bonaventure University by a final score of 75-56. Four Flashes scored double-digits and Cli’Ron Hornbeak and Delrecco Gillespie tallied double-doubles.
The Bonnies opened the game on a 12-2 run before Kent State began to find some rhythm. The Flashes kept in tow trailing by just nine at the third media timeout. Utilizing great defense as is their staple, the Golden Flashes closed the game to two points with an 8-1 run. Delrecco Gillespie began to make his presence felt on both ends of the floor as the Blue and Gold tied the game at 24, before a Jamal Sumlin three gave Kent State their first lead of the game. After taking a one-point lead into the break. The Flashes came out firing in the second with Jalen Sullinger and VonCameron Davis each heating up from behind the arch. Kent State built their lead to 17 with just under nine left to play following a Marquis Barnett three. With just under five minutes to play the Flashes extended the lead to 21 as the Bonnie faithful headed for the exits. The Flashes ultimately won by 19 points by all zeros.
The historic win saw Hornbeak score 11 with 12 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season. Gillespie scored 12 with 10 rebounds for his fourth of the season. With the win Kent State tallied their first win in the National Invitation Tournament since March of 2011 when they bested Saint Mary’s and Fairfield. The win also marks the first postseason win for the Golden Flashes since the 2015 CIT when they beat Middle Tennessee State and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
Kent State will now await the winner of Stanford University, and California State University, Northridge. The Flashes’ second round matchup will be on the road at one of the two locations on Saturday, March 22, or Sunday, March 23.
Follow Kent State Men’s Basketball
For more information on Kent State Men’s Basketball, fans can follow the team on X, Instagram, and Facebook.
Follow Kent State Athletics
For complete coverage of Kent State Athletics, download the official Kent State Golden Flashes app (iOS, Android) and follow the Golden Flashes on social media on X, Instagram , and Facebook for news and updates.
PREVIEW STORY
ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – Kent State Men’s Basketball (22-11) has been invited to participate in the 2025 National Invitation Tournament. The Golden Flashes will travel to St. Bonaventure for the first round to be held on Tuesday, March 18. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in St. Bonaventure’s Reilly Center. Kent State makes a return to the NIT for the first time since the 2010-2011 season when the Blue and Gold defeated Saint Mary’s College and Fairfield University before falling to the University of Colorado. This will be the first trip to the NIT in Coach Senderoff’s time as Head Coach of the Golden Flashes, and the program’s 10th time overall. It will also be the program’s 23rd time as part of a postseason tournament.
Last Time Out
Most recently the Golden Flashes fell to Miami University in the MAC Tournament semifinal by a final score of 72-64. At 138 games, VonCameron Davis stands alone having played in the most games in program history. Additionally, at 264-417, Cli’Ron Hornbeak is first in program history in career field goal percentage. Jalen Sullinger and VonCameron Davis remain 12th and 14th on the Kent State Men’s Basketball all-time scorer’s list. At 29 points, Sullinger recorded his third highest point total of the season in the semifinal.
Scouting the Bonnies
The Golden Flashes and Bonnies have met a total of 21 times; Kent State holds an overall record of 7-14 against St. Bonaventure. The two programs have not met since Dec. 27, 2003, when they played in Cleveland during the regular season with Kent State winning 74-46. The Golden Flashes have won the last six meetings between the two programs. St. Bonaventure posted an overall record of 22-11, the same as Kent State and an A10 record of 9-9. The Bonnies reached the second round of the Atlantic 10 Tournament falling to Virginia Commonwealth University 76-59.
Broadcast Info
Tuesday night’s game can be heard on the Kent State Radio Network with Rob Polinsky on the call. The game can be watched on ESPNU.
Next Up for Kent State
If the Golden Flashes win against St. Bonaventure, they will take on the winner of Stanford University and California State University at Northridge.
Follow Kent State Men’s Basketball
For more information on Kent State Men’s Basketball, fans can follow the team on X, Instagram, and Facebook.
Follow Kent State Athletics
For complete coverage of Kent State Athletics, download the official Kent State Golden Flashes app (iOS, Android) and follow the Golden Flashes on social media on X, Instagram , and Facebook for news and updates.
COURTESY KENT STATE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
