Kent State beats South Dakota State 105-50
Golden Flashers dominated the Jackrabbits

Box Score

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -Mike Scott and Armon Gates each scored 16 points and Kent State shot 63 percent from the field to beat South Dakota State 105-50 Friday in the first round of the BCA Classic at Ohio State's Value City Arena.

Rodriquez Sherman had 15 and Haminn Quaintance, Chris Singletary and Julian Sullinger added 10 apiece for the Golden Flashes (1-0). Eleven Golden Flashes cracked the scoring column in the season opener, and six Kent State players reached double figures.

The Golden Flashes dominated the Jackrabbits inside, scoring 56vpoints in the paint. Kent State also took advantage of 24 SDSU turnovers, turning them into 39 points.

KSU shot 61 percent in the opening half to build a 48-19 lead. Holding a 12-8 lead at the 13:15 mark, Kent State pulled away with a 20-4 run to go up 32-12 by the 7-minute mark. The Golden Flashes hit 24-of-37 shots in the second half, a 64.9 percent clip.

Andy Kleinjan led the Jackrabbits (0-1) with 16 points, with Kai Williams adding 14. They had 24 turnovers, were outrebounded 38-23 and shot 38 percent from the field.

The Golden Flashes are coming off a 25-9 season in which they won Mid-American Conference regular-season and tournament titles and advanced to the program's fourth NCAA tournament.

In the second round of the BCA, Kent State advances to play IUPUI, which beat Alabama A&M 86-47 in an earlier game.

South Dakota State, which plays Alabama A&M on Saturday in the eight-team tournament, had a 9-20 record in its second season in Division I-A. The Jackrabbits, independents the past two years, will play in the Mid-Continent Conference this season.

NOTES: Kent State went over 100 points in a game for the first time since a 111-107 double overtime victory at Buffalo, Feb. 15, 2006... It also was the first time KSU scored more than 100 points in a regulation game since a 116-66 victory against Cleveland State, Dec. 17, 2003... The Golden Flashes' bench contributed 47 of KSU's 105 points... The Flashes totaled 22 assists in the win - led by six from Omni Smith - going over 20 assists in a game for the first time since 21 against Bowling Green, Feb. 21, 2006... KSU led by as many as 57 points in the contest... Sherman's 15 points are the most by a Kent State freshman since Rashard Turner scored 21 points against Houghton, Nov. 21, 2003.