With the victory, Kent State improved to 11-2 on the season, its best start since the 2002-03 season.
It was a balanced scoring effort for the Flashes in their final game of the calendar year as junior Philip Whittington led all scorers with a career-high 18 points and added 11 rebounds, his second double-double of the season. Senior Jaylin Walker scored 14, and junior Antonio Williams and freshman Anthony Roberts both added nine points.
In the opening half, the Flashes controlled the paint and thrived on Oberlin's turnovers to build a lead and withstand a cold shooting stretch with the help of an 11-4 run.
The Yeomen were able to put together a scoring drive of their own with a 5-0 scoring burst that cut Kent State's lead to 16-11 with 12:14 left in the half, but an up and under layup from Akiean Frederick extended the Flashes lead. Oberlin cut KSU's lead to 23-20 with 1:36, but a dunk by Whittington rebuilt the lead to 25-20 heading to the locker room.
Kent State came out of the break and put together an 11-2 scoring run that started the second half. With 12:57 left to play, a 3-pointer from Walker added to Kent State's lead, making it 45-26. Oberlin continued to battle after using a late 9-2 rally in efforts to match the Flashes' scoring, but Kent State was out of reach and claimed the 71-48 win.
Whittington was the Flashes' most-consistent contributor offensively on the day tallying eight points in the first half, and 10 in the second half. The junior went a perfect 5-of-5 from the floor in the second half and finished the game 9-of-13.
The Flashes ended the game shooting 25-of-61 (41.0 percent) from the floor and out-rebounded Oberlin 43-29.
Kent State is back in action to kick off the new year and Mid-American Conference play as Bowling Green comes to town on Saturday, Jan. 5. The game is scheduled to tip-off at 7 p.m.
(Courtesy of KSU Athletics)