STANFORD, Calif. – The Kent State Men's Basketball team triumphed over Stanford University Cardinal with a narrow 77-75 victory on March 23, 2025, in the second round of the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). This win not only marked an impressive outing for the Golden Flashes, who improved their season record to 24-10, but it also propelled them to the quarterfinals of the tournament, where they will face Loyola University Chicago.
In a game highlighted by outstanding individual performances, senior guard Jalen Sullinger led the charge for Kent State with a remarkable career-high of 34 points. Displaying consistency, Sullinger shot 11 of 22 from the field, including an impressive 7 of 10 from three-point range, and converted all five of his free-throw attempts. Beyond scoring, he contributed significantly on defense, recording eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals, illustrating his all-rounded talent.
“It’s unbelievable to have such a performance in a game like this,” Sullinger stated. “My teammates really helped set me up, and we played as a unit, which is what made the difference today.”
Helping to complement Sullinger’s output was Delrecco Gillespie, who achieved a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. Gillespie’s rebounding efforts were pivotal, especially as Stanford attempted to mount comebacks throughout the game.
From the outset, Kent State put pressure on the Cardinal. The Flashes erupted for a 17-12 run in the game’s first eight minutes, quickly asserting their offensive prowess. They later built a solid 10-point lead before Stanford managed to counter with a 9-0 run of their own, making it evident that the game would be a tussle in the final brackets of the tournament.
Going into halftime, Kent State held a slight lead of 43-34, thanks in part to Sullinger’s 20 points scored in the first half alone. However, the Cardinal came out of the break determined to take control, launching a 12-2 run to reclaim a brief lead of 49-47 with just under 14 minutes remaining in the game.
Despite the ups-and-downs of momentum, Sullinger reasserted his dominance with a game-tying jumper and consecutive points that helped Kent State regain control. After hitting a three-pointer with just over 10 minutes remaining and assisting Cli'Ron Hornbeak for a layup shortly thereafter, the Flashes surged to a 58-51 advantage.
As the clock wound down, Kent State extended its lead to as many as 11 points with a decisive 7-0 run, showcasing their determination to capitalize on every opportunity. As pressure mounted, Stanford made a late push, trimming the lead to just two points as Jaylen Blakes made one of two free throws with seven seconds left. But it was too late for the Cardinal, as Sullinger snagged the rebound and converted two free throws, sealing the victory.
“Everyone on the team contributed tonight, and it felt fantastic to win,” Gillespie mentioned post-game. “We’ve been fighting hard all season, and this win is a testament to our resilience.”
While Stanford's performance showed flashes of their potential, ultimately they fell short. Jaylen Blakes topped the Cardinal with 23 points and five assists, contributing to the team’s efforts but not enough to clinch victory. Maxime Raynaud had also a noteworthy game, finishing with 22 points, ten rebounds, and four blocks, marking the end of Stanford's turbulent season in the Atlantic Coast Conference at 21-14.
Much to the disappointment of Stanford's fanbase, this will mark the closing chapter for some of their key players, including Raynaud, who is projected to enter the NBA Draft. However, for Kent State, the victory confirms their rise in the tournament and strengthens the belief in their potential moving forward.
Kent State will next travel to Chicago to take on Loyola University Chicago for the NIT quarterfinals, with the tip-off set for March 26, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. EDT.
