No. 8 Kent State 72, No. 5 Bowling Green 60
Box Score

CLEVELAND, Ohio--  No. 8 Kent State clinched a spot in the 2024 MAC Men's Basketball Tournament, defeating No. 5 Bowling Green by a final score of 75-60 on Friday night inside Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The Golden Flashes will take on the winner of No. 2 Akron and No. 3 Ohio on Saturday, March 16 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2. 

Lights out shooting from the Flashes helped secure an appearance in the conference tournament's championship for the second-straight year after claiming the 2023 Men's Basketball Tournament title. Overall, Kent State shot at a 51 percent clip (26-of-51), highlighted by shooting 12-of-18 from three-point range (66.7%). 

Jalen Sullinger and Giovanni Santiago led the offensive charge as the back court duo each played all 40 minutes in the semifinal battle.

Sullinger notched a team-high 22 points on 7-of-15 shooting, five of which came from beyond the arc. This marked Sullinger's fifth game this season with at least five threes. 

Not to be outdone, Santiago connected on six three pointers, tying a career high, as well as two free throws for 20 points. 

Marcus Hill led the Falcons' offense, notching 22 points in 40 minutes of action. Rashaun Agee added 15 points to go along with seven rebounds. 

Notable Player Performances:

KENT STATE:
Team: 67 3P%, 51 FG%
#13 Jalen Sullinger: 22 Pts, 5-6 3P, 4 Ast
#11 Giovanni Santiago: 20 Pts, 6-8 3P, 3 Stl, 6 Ast
#42 Cli'ron Hornbeak: 9 Reb, 9 Pts

BOWLING GREEN:
#0 Marcus Hill: 22 Pts, 6 Reb, 9-17 FG
#12 Rashaun Agee: 15 Pts, 6 Reb, 7-7 FT,
#7 Jason Spurgin: 8 Pts, 3-9 FG