Redshirt senior Xavier Pollard scored 22 points as the Kent State men’s basketball team (13-5, 4-1 Mid-American Conference) beat Ball State University (12-6, 3-2 MAC) 76-68 Tuesday night.

“Tonight we made just enough plays to get the win,” coach Rob Senderoff said. “I’m really proud of our guys.”

After starting the game with a 10-0 run over Ball State, redshirt junior Kellon Thomas netted 14 of his 20 points in the first half to give the Flashes a 37-30 lead after the first.

Pollard scored 12 points in the second half, hitting a crucial two-point jump shot and giving the Flashes a 63-60 lead over Ball State with 3:37 left in the game.

“Kellon and Xavier, really, what can I say,” Senderoff said. “The shots that Xavier made were some huge, huge shots and I’m really proud of these guys to come out here and get this road win.”

Redshirt junior Jimmy Hall finished with 14 points as senior Khaliq Spicer finished with eight rebounds, seven points and five blocks all in Kent State’s 76-68 win over Ball State.

With this win, Kent State moves into first place in the MAC East.

The Flashes look to finish their road stretch as they travel to Bowling Green State University to take on the Falcons with tip-off set to begin at 4 p.m. Saturday.

Zac Sommer is a sports reporter for The Kent Stater. Contact him at [email protected].