The first of the two rivalry games between the Kent State men’s basketball team and the Akron Zips saw Akron come into Kent and get an 85-71 win at the M.A.C. Center.
Akron had the ball moving all night long, dishing out 19 assists and outrebounding Kent State 41-31.
At halftime, the Zips got out to a 17-point lead and never looked back, leading by as many as 23 in the second half.
KSU went on a 10-0 run in the second half to cut the lead to 13, but that was quickly shut down by Akron, and it was able to withstand the Flashes’ runs all night.
Senior guard Jalen Sullinger led the way for Kent State with 23 points, his ninth double-digit scoring night in his last 10 games.
Kent State fell to 13-8 overall and 4-5 in the MAC standings. It is now in a sixth place tie with three teams. Akron improved to 16-5 and first place in the MAC at 9-0 against the conference.
This is the Flashes’ fourth straight loss against the Zips. They will get another chance against Akron in its place March 1.
The next game for the Flashes will be against the Eastern Michigan Eagles (10-10, 4-4) Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
Andrew Gold is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].