Kent State University
Eastern Michigan University
Flashes Head to Eastern Michigan for First MAC Road Game
1/5/2024 11:24:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Kent, OH – The Kent State Men's basketball team will head to Ypsilanti, MI to face Eastern Michigan for their first MAC road game on Saturday, January 6. Tip-off time is scheduled for approximately 3:30 p.m. ET following the EMU women's team who is hosting the University of Toledo at 1 p.m. The game can be watched on ESPN+ and heard on ESPN Cleveland.Â
Last time out
The Golden Flashes started the year off with an 82-69 victory over Ball State in their MAC season opener. The Flashes are now 8-5 overall and sitting at third in the Mid-American Conference going into Saturday afternoon's game. The Flashes look to continue their success in the MAC from 2022-23 only recording three losses and are current reigning 2023 MAC Tournament Champions. The Flashes are led by Senior Chris Payton Jr. who has recorded double-digits ten times this season and three double-doubles. Most recently, Payton Jr. opened up the MAC season against Ball State with 20 points and six boards. The Flashes opened up the MAC season strong with five players recording double digits and 42 points from the bench. The Flashes lead the MAC averaging 80.1 points per game, shooting 78.3 from the charity stripe, and averaging 7.85 steals per game. The Flashes are also top 10 in the NCAA with their 78.3 free throw percentage. The Flashes will look to continue their six-game win streak against EMU on Saturday afternoon.Â
Key Players for the Eagles
The Eagles are currently 7-6 overall, 0-1 in the MAC, and 5-1 at home. The Eagles were chosen to finish 11th in the conference Preseason All-MAC poll. Junior Tyson Acuff was named Preseason Second Team All-Mid-American Conference. Acuff leads the Eagles averaging 23.7 points per game, leading the MAC and fourth in the NCAA. Acuff has had a trio of 31-point performances this season going into Saturday's game. The Eagles dropped their first MAC game against Bowling Green 92-90 in overtime. Eastern Michigan was 38-of-76 (50.0%) from the floor and 5-of-17 (29.4%) from three-point range while BGSU was 30-of-65 (46.2%) from the floor and 8-of-27 (29.6%) from three-point range. Stan Heath is no stranger to Kent State as he was Head Coach during the 2001-02 season, guiding the Flashes to a 33-6 record and Elite Eight appearance.
Series Match-up
Eastern Michigan trails in the series against Kent State, 35-49. The Flashes are on a six-game winning streak against the Flashes. The Eagles hold a 25-14 advantage when playing at home but have dropped two straight against the Golden Flashes at EMU. EMU is 4-11 in the teams' last 15 meetings played at Eastern, including an 82-62 loss, on January 29, 2002, when current EMU Head Coach Stan Heath was Head Coach at Kent State.
Follow the Flashes
The Flashes will return to the M.A.C. Center on Tuesday, January 9 to face Toledo. This will be the first time the two teams have met since last season when the Flashes defeated Toledo in the 2023 MAC Tournament Championship game. Tip-off time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET. The game will be nationally televised on CBS Sports Network. Single-game tickets for the MAC 2023-24 season are on sale now. Season tickets are also available and start at $85. For any questions regarding ticket information, email athletictickets@kent.edu or call 330-672-4455.
