Also scoring in double digits for the Flashes was senior Tervell Beck, who had 12 points on a perfect 5-of-5 from the floor and 2-of-2 from long range. Sophomore Giovanni Santiago finished with 12 points, dished out seven assists and swiped a team-high three steals.
Yeikson Montero scored 15 points and had five steals to lead Eastern Michigan. Ty Groced tallied 13 points and notched a team-high eight rebounds. Miles Gibson added 12 points.
EMU took an early 11-7 lead, but the Flashes went on a 10-7 stint to gain a one-point lead, 18-17 with less than six minutes to go in the half.
The Eagles answered and regained the lead at 23-20 before a free throw from Justyn Hamilton and a fast break layup from Beck tied the game at 23 going into the locker room.
Kent State came out of the break on fire and posted an 11-2 run over three minutes to go ahead, 38-31 with 13 minutes left in the game. The Flashes extended their lead to 10, 47-37, with the help of a jumper from Gabe O'Neal and a 3-pointer from Santiago.
Eastern Michigan was able to cut the Flashes lead to 54-45 with 3:36 remaining in the game, but KSU's offense outpaced the Eagles as the Flashes ended on a 10-6 run that sealed the 64-51 victory.
Kent State finished the game shooting 45.3 percent from the floor and 32 percent from long range, while the Eagles shot 35.2 percent from the floor and only connected on 26 percent of 3-point shots.
The Flashes out-rebounded the Eagles, 40-24, and were able to bring down 11 offensive boards, allowing nine second chance points. KSU tied its season-high assist record with 20 assists.