Exacting a measure of revenge can be so sweet!
Especially when you avenge an early season defeat to a winless team after blowing a double-digit lead and lose in overtime. On Saturday, the Kent State at Tuscarawas Golden Eagles exacted their measure in a huge way blowing out Penn State New Kensington 91-67 in Founders Hall Gym.
The victory is the Navy and Gold's fourth straight and they have won seven of their last nine games.
The intensity level was off the charts as the Eagles roared to a 6-0 lead right out of the gate. After the Lions got on the board, the winners scored eight consecutive points on a Malik Campbell ankle breaking layup and a couple of three pointers from Gunnar Tharp and Braden Rostad for a 14-2 lead.
PSNK tried to make a game of it and cut the lead to 14-7, but with 12:41 left in the first half KSU outscored the visitors 15-1 for a 29-8 advantage prompting a couple of timeouts. A pair of deep Tharp triples started the burst.
The brief respite was like throwing gasoline on an already burning fire, as the Golden Eagles emerged from the breaks with Andre Leavell and Campbell putting on a clinic. The dynamic duo combined for six baskets at the rim to forge ahead 42-19. Highlights of the explosion included a Leavell steal and dunk along with a Campbell double-crossover move down the middle of the lane.
The largest lead the Eagles held in the opening half was 33 points which was the halftime margin of 59-26. Campbell led the way with 14 first half points while Leavell scored 12 and Mike Huberty 10.
The second half was more of the same as KSU built a 40-point, 71-31, lead with 16:01 to play and subbed numerous players with 11 cracking the score column.
Campbell led the way with 21 points as the Golden Eagles placed four players in double figures. Leavell scored 17, Huberty 12 and Tharp 11.
The Golden Eagles now stand at 9-9 on the year and host USCAA D-I, 15th ranked, University of Maine Fort Kent on Monday at 5:00 p.m.
Mike Huberty scored 12 points against PSNK.
Andre Leavell scores two of his 17 points.
Jeremy Allen looks for an outlet against PNSK. (Photos by Jason Keller)