KENT STATE, Oh -- Danny Pippin scored 19 of his game-high 30 points after intermission as Kent State rallied in the second half to defeat Miami 77-68 Tuesday at James A. Rhodes Arena.
A 17-0 run by the RedHawks gave MU a 32-22 lead with 3:33 remaining in the first half. Kent State closed . . .
A Pippin trey at 13:13 put KSU in front 40-39 and the Flashes continued to build a cushion over the next several minutes. Malique Jacobs' "and-one" at 9:26 gave the hosts an 11-point advantage.
Precious Ayah and Mekhi Lairy scored the RedHawks next nine points as they pulled within three (4-51) with 6:26 to go. However, KSU built its advantage back up to double digits before winning by nine.
Joining Pippin in double figures were Tervell Beck (11), Giovanni Santiago (10) and Gabe O'Neal (10).
Dae Dae Grant led Miami with 17 points, followed by Lairy (13) and Ayah (11 points, with 5-of-5 from the field).
NOTES:
>> Kent State had two less field goals overall, but the flashes registered four more treys and made 18-of-26 at the line. Miami hit 9-of-12 opportunities.
>> It was the third straight victory for KSU, which has won seven of its last eight outings. The Flashes three MAC losses are by a total of eight points - a pair of two-point setbacks against Toledo and a four loss at Akron.
>> After winning three straight, Miami has dropped two of its last three.