Kent State staved off a fierce late effort, keeping the Bobcats at bay and won 89-82 in the M.A.C. Center Saturday night.
An 18-5 run spelled out victory for KSU, who went from tied 46-46 to leading 64-51 with 10 minutes remaining.
Kent State received timely contributions in this stretch from Chris Ortiz, Xavier Pollard, Kellon Thomas, and Jimmy Hall, the latter of whom struggled to get going early on with just 4 points in the first half. It was Pollard and Thomas who had themselves the best days with Pollard finishing with 23 and Thomas ending the night with 20.