SIU (1-2) lost its second game of the season as it was dominated by Kent State (3-0) in the opening match of a stretch of three games in three days.

The Salukis never led during the game as the Flashes’ defense frustrated SIU all night en route to a 74-51 KSU win. SIU shot 35 percent from the field and 16 percent from the arc, while Kent State shot 51 percent from the field and 55 percent from long range.

Six Salukis failed to score during the game and the team scored the least points of the season.

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KSU led by as many as 24 points, turned the ball over 14 times and had 16 assists. SIU had 17 turnovers and just 6 assists. The Flashes scored nearly a third of their points off Saluki turnovers.

KSU forward Jimmy Hall led all scorers with 16 points and led his team with 6 rebounds. SIU was headed by guard Anthony Beane and forward Sean O’Brien who both had 12 points in the loss.

Freshman forward Jordan Caroline added 11 points and 8 rebounds for the Salukis before he fouled out during the second half.

The first half was a struggle for SIU as KSU went into the intermission leading 43-28. Kent State led by double digits most of the half and hit 7-of-12 three pointers after going just 3-19 in its last game.

SIU continued to fight and repeatedly cut the lead to 11 but could not quite rein in KSU. The Salukis had 12 turnovers in the first half, which is more than any half of this season and last season.

The Salukis continue playing in the Kent State Men Against Breast Cancer Classic at 4 p.m. Saturday against Yale, and at 12 p.m. Sunday against the University of Illinois-Chicago.

Tyler Davis can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @TDavis_DE.

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