The nine-point win, coupled with NIU's victory at Central Michigan moved Kent State into the fourth seed with one game to go. By moving one game ahead of CMU, the Flashes now control their seeding fate. With a win Friday, Kent State clinches a spot in Thursday night's MAC Tournament Quarterfinals.
Kent State improved to 21-9 overall and 10-7 in league play. MU dropped to 15-15 on the season and 7-10 in MAC competiton.
KSU took advantage of another slow start by Miami, which spotted Buffalo to an 18-0 opening advantage last Saturday.
Jalen Avery's triple put the Flashes in front 12-4 at 12:43 of the first half. Walker got hot and helped propel the visitors to a 24-10 lead after his sold-fashioned 3-point play at 5:39. By the end of the half, Walker had 23 points and KSU owned a 38-21 edge.
Miami struggled to 26.9 overall in the first period and was 2-of-17 (11.8 percent) while trying to solve Kent State's zone.
Bam Bowman got the 'Hawks offense going after intermission and Nike Sibande followed suit. Miami closed to within four twice, the last time at 12:07 of a Sibande dunk that made it a 49-45 contest.
Kent State, however, managed to built up another double digit lead. Akiean Frederick's layup at 4:25 put the visitors ahead by 15 at 67-42. Miami cold get no closer than eight the rest of the way.
Joining Walker in double figures for Kent State were Antonio Williams (18) and Philip Whittington (13).
Sibande paced Miami with 21, while Bowman knocked down 18 points.