The Kent State men’s basketball team has the second-longest home winning streak in the NCAA right now after defeating Akron 89-84 in overtime Friday. 

The win marks the Flashes’ 22nd home victory.

KSU improves to 25-6 overall and sits in second place in the Mid-American Conference at 14-3. This is the first time the team has won 25 games in a season since the 2007-08 season. 

The Zips fall to 22-10 on the season and finish third in the conference at 13-5. Akron had previously defeated KSU 67-55 this season. 

KSU’s defense started the game with two forced turnovers. Redshirt senior Sincere Carry scored all nine points as his team went up 9-5. 

At half time, the Flashes led 36-32. 

The KSU defense forced seven turnovers, leading to eight points. Sixteen of the 36 points came inside the paint. 

The Zips forced nine turnovers and added 18 points inside. Kent State shot 53.8% – Akron shot 46.7%. 

Akron’s MAC scoring-leader junior guard Xavier Castaneda, who averages 21.4 points a game, shot 0-of-4 with all shots coming from behind the arc. 

The Zips opened the second half on a 16-12 scoring run, as Castenada converted his first basket. The game was tied for the first time since the start at 48-48 with 12 minutes remaining in the game. 

Over the next two minutes, KSU senior forward Chris Payton converted on four consecutive baskets to give the Flashes a 59-55 lead. 

Kent State converted on two 3-pointers and forced three turnovers, giving the team a 69-63 lead with four minutes remaining in the game. 

After a 6-0 Akron scoring run, the game was tied 69-69 with 2:20 remaining. 

The Flashes held the Zips scoreless in the final two minutes, then Castenda converted on three consecutive free throws to tie the game at 72 and send the game to overtime. 

The Flashes started overtime on a 10-6 scoring run, as Payton scored six points. The score was then 82-78. 

Both teams battled back and forth over the final two minutes. Carry totaled nine points in overtime. 

The Flashes will be in action Thursday at the MAC tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland. 

Jacob Shondel is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected]