The National Invitation Tournament (NIT) saw the Kent State Golden Flashes put on a stellar performance as they defeated the St. Bonaventure Bonnies 75-56 on March 18, 2025, marking their first postseason victory since the 2014-2015 season. The game took place at the Reilly Center in St. Bonaventure, New York, where Kent State played with determination, rallying from several early deficits to secure their spot in the second round where they will face the winner of No. 2 Stanford and Cal State Northridge.
St. Bonaventure started strong, jumping out to an early 7-0 lead, and they maintained that momentum, leading 13-2 at one point. However, the Golden Flashes found their footing against a deeply tested Bonnies team that, due to injuries, could only rely on a rotation of six players. Kent State’s resilience came to the forefront when Jamal Sumlin hit the Flashes’ first three-pointer with just over two minutes left in the first half, which not only initiated their scoring from beyond the arc but also allowed them to take their first lead at 27-24.
After halftime, Kent State’s offensive strategy shifted dramatically. The Flashes made an astounding eight of eleven attempts from three-point range, igniting their offense with a 14-0 run that established a commanding lead. VonCameron Davis was particularly effective during this segment, scoring ten of his 14 points in the second half, while Delrecco Gillespie added 12 points and pulled down ten rebounds, showcasing the depth of Kent State’s scoring.
Cli’Ron Hornbeak also entered the spotlight, shooting 5 of 6 from the field and finishing with 11 points. The collective performance from the Golden Flashes illustrated their ability to adapt and capitalize on transitions, moving the ball quickly and efficiently to generate open looks—notably through Davis’ back-to-back three-pointers that further pushed the lead into double digits.
Defensively, Kent State executed a strong game plan that stifled St. Bonaventure’s offensive efforts. They held the Bonnies to just 34.4% shooting from the field, effectively contesting the drives and making every bucket difficult for the opponent. The rebounding battle heavily favored the Flashes, who dominated the glass, out-rebounding St. Bonaventure 46-29, including critical offensive boards that extended Kent State possessions.
On the contrary, St. Bonaventure struggled with their depth, relying heavily on players like Chance Moore, who scored 16 points, and Noel Brown, who added 11 points. Unfortunately for the Bonnies, despite their height advantage with several players above 6 feet, they could not find their groove in the second half as Kent State's shooting accuracy continued to soar. St. Bonaventure finished the game with a record of 22-12, throwing up solid initial performances but ultimately falling victim to Kent State's effective adjustments.
For Kent State, the victory not only signifies a triumphant return to postseason play but also sets a promising tone for their next matchup in the NIT. Kent State’s Head Coach Rob Senderoff expressed pride in his team's resilience and teamwork, highlighting that “everyone contributed.” The Flashes have improved their overall record to 23-11 with this victory, emphasizing their potential to advance further in the tournament.
As the Golden Flashes look ahead, they will face tough competition against either Stanford or Cal State Northridge this weekend. The strong showing against St. Bonaventure’s defense points to a revitalized Kent State team that has found its rhythm at the right time, perhaps setting them up for an unexpected deep run in this year’s NIT. Fans and analysts alike will be closely watching as the tournament progresses, wondering how far this year’s team can go.
