In, A Tale of Two Cities, Dickens espoused the notion that from insurrection can come transformation, both on a personal level and on a societal level.
In, a tale of two halves, the Kent State at Tuscarawas basketball team confirmed that same notion as they rebounded from a poor first half defensive showing to roll Akron Wayne, 103-83, at the Boyer Center in Orrville, Ohio on Wednesday night.
The Eagles started fast grabbing a 5-0 lead before the hosts came roaring back to take a 10-7 lead. It wasn't until Jacob Hicks' put back at the 4:16 mark of the first half put the Navy and Gold on top 33-31, that they finally found a little breathing room and carried a 42-40 lead into the half.
Early after the break the battle stood at 46-46. A pair of Andre Leavell free throws lifted the Eagles to a two-point lead as they squelched any notion of a Warriors regroup with a 13-2 uprising that provided some traction and a 61-48 lead. Steal after steal by a tenacious KSU defense led to easy lay ups and multiple free throws. as they continued their assault during a 22-4 blitz to take command 68-50.
The back-breaking revolt started with two Malik Campbell free throws at the 15:02 mark, followed by a Leavell steal and twisting layup, a rare four-point play by Gunnar Tharp who sunk a triple from the right corner and converted on a subsequent free throw, along with a deep three-pointer by Braden Rostad as the Eagles scored 11 points in less than a minute.
With 12:06 left the margin reached 18 (68-50) before two more Leavell freebies and back-to-back Tharp three-point volleys separated the combatants by 27 points, 99-72, with 3:16 to play.
As the bench emptied, the Eagles greeted one another with the satisfaction of knowing that they came to one another's rescue in the second half, which left no doubt that they have turned a corner and know how to get the job done.
Ten Golden Eagles scored in the game with Tharp, the lone senior leading the way with 25 points behind six three-point shots. Leavell scored 22 points and sank 10/11 free throw opportunities, Rostad contributed 20 points and matched Tharp's performance with six triples of his own and Campbell scored 10.
The victory improves KSU Tusc's record to 12-10 on the season. On Saturday, the Golden Eagles host Miami Middletown in a 3 p.m. start.
Keenan Philpott converts on a reverse layup in traffic at UAW.
Mike Huberty avoids a block and scores two at UAW.
Andre Leavell challenges a UAW shooter.
Gunnar Tharp looks to push tempo after a long rebound.
Jeremy Allen runs the fast break for the Eagles. (Photos by Jason Keller)