It was a great night for the Wooster basketball program on Saturday as Div. I Kent State University came to Timken Gymnasium to play an exhibition game against the Fighting Scots.† The Scots put up a good fight, but Kent State was just too much.† The Scots were run out of the gym in the second half, falling to the Golden Flashes 76-59. The score wasnít close, but the Fighting Scots have never been more grateful for a loss.
Wooster started out strong, going on a 21-11 run and seemed poised to upset the Golden Flashes.† Kent State responded and turned up the tempo with an 18-4 run to close the half ahead 35-30.† After half-time it was obvious that Kent had made the proper adjustments and Wooster just didnít have the stamina to keep up with the speed and size of Kent State. The Golden Flashes opened up a double-digit lead with a 12-4 run to start the half and never looked back.
It was clear that this was a preseason game, as both teams looked rusty.† Kent State had problems finding their shot until the second half, and Wooster made many mental mistakes, leading to 37 turnovers.
On the plus side for the Scots, they were only outrebounded by two 39-37.† When looking at the size difference between the two teams, that is especially impressive. One problem with the Scot team last year was rebounding, and with a much bigger team this year, that problem looks to be in the past.
The Scotsí offense looked good in the first half, as they shot 46 percent and hit five of 13 from behind the arc. The percentages dipped in the second half, as Kent State stepped up the defensive pressure, but overall the Scots shot a respectable 41 percent from the field.
Justin Hallowell í12 had 11 points and was still able to hit shots from just about anywhere on the court.† Brian Wickliffe í11 had six rebounds and eight points.† This was also a time to see what the new players on the Fighting Scots could potentially contribute, and if they continue to improve, this Scot team is going to be deep and dangerous. Jake Mays í13 lead the Scots in scoring with 12 points and added five rebounds.† Mays, a 6-8 center from Tallmadge, Ohio, looked to have an impressive mid-range game, and had some good post moves.† He looks to be a good scoring punch off the bench for this Fighting Scot team.
Equally impressive was Josh Claytor í13.† Claytor, a 6-7 forward from Oxford, Ohio, started his first collegiate game against a Div. I team and led the Scots with eight rebounds and seven points.
Also impressive was Justin Warnes í12 who spent last year on the junior varsity team.† In his first game, Warnes led the Scots in assists with four, added seven points, had two steals, and got to the free throw line six times.† If these players continue to show the same spark that they did on Saturday, this Fighting Scot team will be two players deep at several positions.
Before the game, head coach Steve Moore and assistant coach Doug Cline thanked the crowd for all their support and gave their thanks to Kent State for showing up to play this historic game.† There was a great moment at center court when after giving his thanks, the entire Kent State team hugged Coach Cline as the crowd gave a standing ovation.
All proceeds from the game went to the Corey John Cline Fund, which will help underprivileged children in Wayne County.† Overall the game raised $4,167 from ticket sales which was supplemented by a generous gift from officials Chuck Bullock, Scott Gooden and Ricky Smith, who donated their salaries from the game, totaling $1,000 dollars and bringing the total donation up to $5,167.† It was a great night for both the program and the Wooster community.