It was the fourth straight win for KSU (12-2 MAC, 22-5 overall) and kept Kent State in first place. Eastern Michigan (3-11 MAC, 6-21 overall) dropped its fifth straight.
Emoni Bates was the only Eagles player to reach double figures, recording a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Remaining EMU starters combined for 17 points. Junior guard Kevin David Rice followed with nine points in 18 minutes off the bench. Six of those came at the free throw line
Kent State, meanwhile, had four players in double figures. Sincere Carry led the way with 17 points, six assists and four rebounds. Malique Jacobs and Julius Rollins tallied 13 apiece, while forward Miryne Thomas added 11 points and six boards.
The Flashes quickly jumped on EMU, sprinting out to a 15-2 lead. Eastern Michigan then battled back to within one at 20-19.
A 21-2 run by Kent State followed and broke the game open. After taking a 41-25 lead to intermission, the Flashes outscored EMU 40-29 in the second stanza.
NOTES:
~~ Kent State recorded 14 steals and forced 19 EMU turnovers. The Flashes also had six blocks.
~~ KSU connected on 53.4 percent from the flield and 30.8 percent on triples. That ga gave the hosts a 31-28 edge on field goals overall.
~~ Bates and Rice were the only Eagles to record a 3-point make -- one apiece.