The Kent State Tuscarawas Golden Eagles found their way down I-77 through an early morning snow storm, only to find that it wasn't the only squall brewing as they lost 90-59 in Bluefield, WV on Friday afternoon. The deluge by Bluefield State didn't start immediately as they teetered on double digit leads for most of the first half aided by Navy and Gold miscues. The hosts made a late first half push to take a 47-30 lead into the locker room.
Despite having the games two leading scorers and less than 24 hours after an emotional loss to WSU Lake, the KSU Tuscarawas men's basketball team made a four-hour trip to Cincinnati Clermont and fell short 94-88 on Sunday at the Cougardome. Malik Campbell and Gunnar Tharp generated 68% of the Navy and Gold's offense as they combined to score 61 points in the loss.
Basketball is a game of momentum swings and Wright State Lake used one at the end of each half along with lots of free throws to knock off Kent State Tuscarawas 95-81 in Founders Hall Gym on Saturday afternoon. A 7-0 run at the end of the opening stanza lifted the Lakers to a 45-39 lead at the break, and as close at the Golden Eagles got in the second half was one-point on two separate occasions early in the final frame of play---the last at 49-48 with 15:55 left.
The USCAA's top ranked D-2 team was warned not to take the Golden Eagles lightly Tuesday evening and Coach Don Silveri's pregame prophecy rang true, as the Navy and Gold's never-say-die attitude was in full affect competing to the very end before falling 96-84 in the Eagles New Philadelphia nest. The Golden Eagles were proud of their effort, but still not happy with the game's outcome.
The Kent State Tuscarawas men's basketball team wrapped up a long road trip falling to Wright State Lake 76-73 in Celina, Ohio on Sunday night. It was the second setback on the weekend road trip that included games against two USCAA foes.
The Kent State Tuscarawas men's basketball team dropped a 69-57 decision to Andrews University on Saturday night in Berrien Springs, MI. It was the Golden Eagles second loss of the season to the Cardinals who won in New Philadelphia 82-61 after a late run in December.
For nearly 32 minutes the winner of the Golden Eagles battle with PSU Beaver was in doubt, but the Nittany Lion roared to a late lead after three straight Navy and Gold turnovers to win 82-62 in Monaca, PA. The game was tight throughout the first half as neither team mounted more than a four point lead and saw five ties and six lead changes.
After leading just 46-40 at halftime, the Hiram College Terriers used a 20-5 run to close out the game and down the Golden Eagles 97-66 at Price Gymnasium on Sunday afternoon. The second half was a little different than the first when there were six ties and six lead changes as KSU Tuscarawas gave Hiram all they wanted.
The Lourdes Gray Wolves decisive height advantage and impressive shooting took down the Golden Eagles for the second time in as many weeks with an 82-43 victory at the Russell J. Ebeid Recreation Center in Sylvania, Ohio. The hosts led 9-8 before mounting a 10 point run to take command 19-8, before finishing the first half outscoring the Navy and Gold 24-12 the rest of the way to take a 43-20 lead at the intermission.
After a nail biter of a first half, the Kent State Tuscarawas Golden Eagles used very active hands and feet in the second half to disrupt the PSU Shenango offense on their way to an 88-69 victory in Founders Hall Gym. With the victory the Navy and Gold broke a nine-game losing streak and opened up an early Christmas present going into the break.
A late surge by Andrews University fueled by a stretch of Golden Eagles turnovers, allowed the Cardinals to escape Founders Hall gym with an 82-61 road win. The Red and Black were locked in a battle by a much smaller Navy and Gold team for most of the afternoon before employing a trapping defense which took its toll.
The Lourdes University Gray Wolves got out of the gate fast with some torrid shooting and never let up as they dashed past the Golden Eagles 104-61 on Monday night in Founders Hall Gym. The much taller NAIA visitors from Sylvania, OH exemplified the definition of a well-oiled machine as they shot 58% from the field for the game and 59% from behind the three point arc.
The Kent State Tuscarawas Men's Basketball Team put on a late charge at Penn Highlands, but 46 second half points and a last second shot were not enough as the Golden Eagles fell 80-78 to the Black Bears on Friday night.
With the game still very competitive at 49-41 and 11 minutes remaining in the game, Hanover College went on a 22-0 spurt to take control and down the Kent State Tuscarawas Golden Eagles 85-47 in second round action of the Connor Classic held at Thomas More University in Northern Kentucky. The Panthers led 29-22 at halftime before they went on a big run while the navy and gold committed the bulk of their 19 turnovers which led to 26 Blue and Red points.
The Kent State Tuscarawas Men's Basketball Team was beaten 91-42 by Conor Classic host Thomas More in the opening round Friday. The Saints dominated from the start and led 46-19 at the half while forcing numerous Golden Eagles turnovers and denying good looks at the basket.
Unlike Saturday when the Cardinals ran the floor against Kent State Tuscarawas, on Sunday, they dominated in the post in racing by Kent State Tuscarawas 99-65 at the Boo Williams Sportsplex in Newport News, Virginia. The Golden Eagles trailed 50-37 at the half, but the red and blue shot 54% in the second half of the game to put the Golden Eagles in an uphill battle.
The Golden Eagles gave up 54 first half points in a 105-64 loss to Stratford University in Newport News, VA. The Eagles trailed by 17 at halftime (54-37) but couldn't contain the Cardinals scoring onslaught as six Stratford players scored in double figures for the game.
The Mount Vernon Nazarene Cougars jumped out to an early 12-2 lead and never hesitated as they downed Kent State Tuscarawas 110-75 at Ariel Arena in Mount Vernon, Ohio. Despite the loss, Gunnar Tharp (Canton South HS / East Canton, OH) continued his early season assault on his personal career scoring record by blitzing MVNU for 30 points to lead all scorers on 10 of 17 shooting, while converting on 9 of 12 three-point attempts. He now has 1042 career points.
The Kent State Tuscarawas men’s basketball team left no doubt in the minds of the faithful packed into Founders Hall gym, that they are much improved and more athletic as they dominated from the start in a 132-74 win over Ohio University Zanesville. Gunnar Tharp (Canton South HS / East Canton, OH) went over the 1000-point milestone for his career early in the game and finished as one of five Golden Eagles in double figures with 14 points. Tharp is a sophomore majoring in both criminology and justice studies and sociology.