Kent State University
Purdue
Kent State to Close Out Non-Conference Schedule at #5 Purdue
12/28/2025 10:24:00β―AM | Men's Basketball
WEST LAYFAYETTE, Ind. β Kent State Men's Basketball (10-2) is in preparation for their final non-conference game of the 2025-2026 season when they take on #5 Purdue University on Monday, Dec. 29. Tip-off between the Golden Flashes and Boilermakers is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. inside Mackey Arena. It will be Kent State's first meeting with a traditional power conference opponent since the Flashes defeated Stanford in the second round of the 2025 National Invitation Tournament, and their third meeting with Purdue all-time.
Last Time Out
Kent State is coming off their Mid-American Conference opener against UMass. What began an even up game at the start turned into a defensive display by Kent State roughly 10 minutes in. KSU opened outscoring UMass 16-10 in that time. The Blue and Gold outscored the Minutemen 21-13 behind the play of great stops and 16 combined points from Quinn Woidke and Rob Whaley Jr. The Flashes took a 35-24 lead into the half. With 12:40 to play UMass trimmed the Kent State lead down to 10 points. Following a couple of empty possessions from the Flashes, UMass' K'jei Parker hit a three to close the deficit to three points with under nine minutes to play. The Golden Flashes kept in front with strong rebounding down the stretch. With under 3:20 left to- play, Woidke and Rob Whaley Jr. made some key free throws before Gillespie iced the game with a three at the top of the key to make it 62-55 Flashes with 1:36 left. Kent State added a few more with free throws to take the win by 10 points (69-59).
The Golden Flashes vs. The Boilermakers
Monday Dec. 29 will mark the fourth meeting all-time between the Kent State Golden Flashes and Purdue Boilermakers, and their first game in 53 years. The programs first met on Dec. 18, 1969, in West Lafayette with Purdue winning 65-64. Kent State then returned to play at Purdue the following season on Dec. 15, 1970, defeating the Boilermakers 64-62. Purdue then came to the M.A.C. Center two years later on Dec. 1, 1972 taking the win over the Flashes 82-75.
Broadcast Info
Fans can tune into the game on Fox Sports Radio 1350 with Dane Richardson on the call. The game will be broadcast on Big Ten+.
Next Up for Kent State
After Monday's matchup with Purdue, the Golden Flashes will turn their full attention to their MAC schedule. The Blue and Gold return to the floor of the M.A.C. Center on Saturday, Jan. 3 at 1 p.m. to host the Huskies of Northern Illinois University.
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