Kent State University
Eastern Kentucky
Kent State is Back in the MACC on Tuesday Night to Host Eastern Kentucky
11/17/2025 4:52:00 PM | Men's Basketball
KENT – The Kent State Men's Basketball team (4-1) will be back in action inside the M.A.C. Center on Tuesday, Nov. 18 against the Eastern Kentucky University Colonels. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The Golden Flashes will be seeking their fifth straight victory after taking both games at The Greenbrier Tip-Off River Division this past weekend (Nov. 15 vs. Cleveland State, Nov. 16 vs. Wright State).
Last Time Out
Kent State downed a pair of opponents from the Horizon League at The Greenbrier Tip-Off starting with Cleveland State on Nov. 15. Following a slight delay to adjust the event floor, the game tipped off around 1:20 p.m. Jahari Williamson opened the offense scoring the first 10 points for KSU. He and CSU's Dayan Nessah quickly led their teams with double-digits each. Following an early run and lead by the Vikings, the Golden Flashes responded with a 16-8 run over 4:57 to lead 30-29 with eight minutes left in the first half. The game slowed as the Golden Flashes and Vikings went blow-for-blow and foul-per-foul to close the first 20 minutes. Following a series of hard-fought possessions Kent State took a 44-41 lead into the break. Williamson had 19 of his 23 points in the first half. The second half began even with the Flashes and Vikings going 18-18 in the first eight minutes. With 10:20 to play Cleveland State tied the game 63 all. Kent State battled with cousins Rob Whaley Jr. and Delrecco Gillespie making hard drives to the rim. Gillespie, Williamson, and Medley all make clutch free throws down the stretch as Kent State ultimately had 46 FT attempts. The Blue and Gold out lasted CSU by a 102-95 final.
The Flashes then turned right around defeating Wright State in overtime on Nov. 16. A rock fight right from the opening tip, The Golden Flashes and Raiders traded blows the entire opening 20 minutes. Wright State held a 13-10 lead at the second media break, and a 19-18 Kent State lead by the third. Kent State was led by Delrecco Gillespie and Rayvon Griffith posting 10 points and eight points in the first half respectively. Wright State spread the ball around allowing them to keep pace with the Blue and Gold with neither team taking an advantage on the scoreboard into the break (32 all). Wright State built a lead in the second half that saw Kent State trailing 45-51 with 10:26 left to play. The Blue and Gold utilized a 16-12 run to close within three points in the final two minutes as cousins Rob Whaley Jr. and Gillespie grinded out tough layups and free throws. A free throw by Morgan Safford and a turnaround jumper from Cian Medley tied the game at 62 in the closing seconds to force overtime. Kent State continued to both out shoot and out rebound Wright state as they did in the closing minutes of the second. The Flashes finished off the Raiders with a 14-9 run with most of their points coming from Gillespie. 76-72 was the final.
Scouting Eastern Kentucky
This will be the first ever meeting between the Kent State and Eastern Kentucky men's basketball programs. EKU enters with an overall record of 1-2most recently falling to Vanderbilt. EKU Head Coach A.W. Hamilton is in year eight at the helm of the Colonels. He led his squad to the ASUN Regular Season Championship during the 2023-2024 season for their first such title in 45 years (1979). They enter this contest matching Kent State also having four players averaging double digits.
Broadcast Info
Fans can tune into both games on Fox Sports Radio 1350 with Dane Richardson on the call. ESPN+ will carry the broadcast with Jackson Lawrence and Jana Ashely on the call.
Next Up for Kent State
Following EKU, the Flashes will be back in action on Nov. 22 against Cleveland State inside the MACC at 1:00 p.m. It will be Kent State's second meeting with Cleveland State in seven days.
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