KP played 41 minutes...Eargle played 40..Cole and Belin each played 25+ minutes and made nice contributions off the bench... YSU bench scored 10 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists(5 by Cole) Kent got 27 points, 16 rebounds and 5 assists from their bench... I know some will say these are college kids, and they do not get tired...but, they tire just enough to result in missed FT's, turnover's, shots being just a bit of the mark, being a half step too slow...etc... All are the kind of things that often end up being the difference in games between 2 fairly evenly matched teams... Going to be plenty of close games once HL play starts. This team has the potential to be in the top 3-4, IF they can learn to close out close games, and find at least 1 player besides Cole and Belin that can play significant minutes and make quality contributions.
Also, some great points made by YSU0505 and a few others. Alot of basketball is effort. No excuse at this level for not boxing out properly. And, totally agree about Allen being a SHOOTER. His strength is not running the offense, especially down the stretch in a close game. Can understand the mismatch down low. But, again, at this level, players have been taught over and over and over for several years how to double down in the post, an still be able to get a hand in the face of the shooter...It is basic fundamental TEAM defense in basketball. Help and recover... Rotate. But, it takes effort and a desire to want to contest the shot, not just go with the attitude of said team not being a good outside shooting team.
Lastly, tired of reading about a lack of luck. To quote Seneca "luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity". And, YSU loses too many games of this type, against teams from the HL, plus KENT, Akron, RMU, Duquesne...etc year in and year out to use lack of luck as an excuse.