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Sincere Carry wills Kent State to redemption over Akron entering MAC Tournament

ryan lewis, akron beacon journal
·4 min read

KENT — When the Kent State faced rival Akron the first time this season, the Golden Flashes came out flat. The Zips led from wire to wire, and it felt as though Kent State never really landed any punches in what ended up being a frustrating loss.

KSU senior Sincere Carry was determined to make sure it didn't happen again.

And although overtime was needed Friday night, he willed the Flashes to an 89-84 win over the Zips at the M.A.C. Center with a game-high 35 points.

Kent State's Jalen Sullinger defends as Akron's Enrique Freeman tries to pass Friday night the M.A.C. Center in Kent.
Kent State's Jalen Sullinger defends as Akron's Enrique Freeman tries to pass Friday night the M.A.C. Center in Kent.

The win was Kent State's 25th of the regular season, which tied a school record. It was also the Flashes' 22nd consecutive home win. And most importantly, it locked up the No. 2 seed for Kent State (25-6, 15-3) in next week's Mid-American Conference tournament. The Zips (21-10, 13-5) will be the No. 3 seed. Toledo earned the No. 1 seed with a win over Ball State.

After the Golden Flashes came out slowly in the first game of the season, which Akron won 67-55, Carry led KSU to a 7-0 run to open the game Friday night. And after starting hot, he ended on a scorching note, pouring in 12 of his 35 points in overtime. That scoring flurry came after a controversial call at the end of regulation that gave Zips guard Xavier Castaneda three free throws, which he made to tie the score with 4.4 seconds left.

Kent State's Julius Rollins celebrates hitting a 3-pointer against Akron at the M.A.C. Center in Kent on Friday.
Kent State's Julius Rollins celebrates hitting a 3-pointer against Akron at the M.A.C. Center in Kent on Friday.

In the wake of that foul call, and that the Flashes didn't get one at the other end of the floor as time expired despite some contact, KSU coach Rob Senderoff was later called for a technical foul, which gave the Zips two free throws to open the overtime period and, subsequently, their first lead of the night.

But from there Carry took control of the game, backed by a tremendous night by forward Chris Payton, who scored 22 points off the bench on 9-of-10 shooting. Together, they delivered the Golden Flashes the redemption they had sought for a month, ever since they walked out of Rhodes Arena on Feb. 3.

As Carry stood at the line with the game in hand at the end of overtime, he received a chorus of "MVP, MVP" chants.

Kent State's Chris Payton goes to the hoop as Akron's Trendon Hankerson defends during Friday night at the M.A.C. Center in Kent.
Kent State's Chris Payton goes to the hoop as Akron's Trendon Hankerson defends during Friday night at the M.A.C. Center in Kent.

"Really, I'm just gonna go. I don't really back down from anybody," Carry said of the emotion he carried into Friday night. "I'm up for any challenge. I'm gonna talk, I'm gonna do something, and I'm gonna let you know it."

But, quickly, the attention turned solely to the MAC Tournament, and the conference title and automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament that accompany its winner. After the Zips beat KSU on Feb. 3, some Akron players noted they battled an emotional letdown in their next few games. If the Golden Flashes fall into that trap after winning such an emotional rivalry game, their season will end Thursday in Cleveland.

Akron's Garvin Clarke looks to pass as Kent State's VonCameron Davis, Jalen Sullinger and Chris Payton defend at the M.A.C. Center in Kent on Friday.
Akron's Garvin Clarke looks to pass as Kent State's VonCameron Davis, Jalen Sullinger and Chris Payton defend at the M.A.C. Center in Kent on Friday.

"We have to turn the page, and that's always been difficult for teams after beating your rival — both teams — and I've been in this deal long enough to know the next game is always a really difficult game," Senderoff said after the win, which gave KSU an 82-81 edge in the all-time series with Akron. "So we have to make sure we're really prepared for Thursday."

The Zips have been powered all season by Castaneda and Enrique Freeman as the team's top two scorers, with the role of a third, complementary scorer rotating from game to game. Friday night was a rare instance of Castaneda struggling offensively, as he scored 13 points but shot just 2 of 13 from the floor, including 1 of 10 from 3-point range.

Kent State coach Rob Senderoff directs his team Friday night against Akron at the M.A.C. Center in Kent.
Kent State coach Rob Senderoff directs his team Friday night against Akron at the M.A.C. Center in Kent.

Zips coach John Groce noted the team's "grit" over the last week's worth of games. And as Akron enters the tournament, it is perhaps a silver lining that the Zips took KSU to overtime on the road without one of their key two scorers playing well, though Castaneda did sink the three key free throws to send it to overtime. Freeman finished with 25 points and 12 rebounds, and Sammy Hunter stepped into that scoring role with a team-high 26 points.

Although the result wasn't what they wanted, the Zips showed they can battle anyone in the conference even on an off night from a key contributor.

"I thought Sammy, the last two games, has been that," Groce said. "I think that's a moving target for us, that third scorer. But the courage of Castaneda to step right up there and knock all three of 'em in, he's a big-time competitor."

Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis@thebeaconjournal.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Sincere Carry powers Kent State over Akron Zips in men's basketball