Kent State University
Eastern Michigan
Kent State Travels to Ypsilanti for Throw Down with Eastern Michigan
1/23/2026 1:31:00 PM | Men's Basketball
YPSILANTI, Mich. – Kent State Men's Basketball (14-5, 5-2 MAC) looks to bounce back this weekend as they travel to take on Eastern Michigan University. Tip-off between the Golden Flashes and Eagles is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. and or shortly following the EMU women's basketball game before it. It is the first of two scheduled matchups against Eastern Michigan this season, as the Eagles will visit the M.A.C. Center on Wednesday, Feb. 11. Â
Last Time Out
Most recently the Flashes dropped their Jan. 20 matchup with #25 Miami (OH). MU took an early lead outscoring Kent State 11-7 in the opening four minutes. Rob Whaley Jr. threw down a thundering dunk to answer one of Miami's and hit a three to help close the gap. Kent State then put a few stops together to slow the pace of the game holding the RedHawks to 21 points for nearly four minutes. The RedHawks utilized a 12 to four run to push their lead to 14 points. The Golden Flashes continued to hang around closing the gap to nine points and seven points over the back end of the first half. KSU trailed at the half 34 to 48. Kent State exploded out of a canon in the second half as Whaley Jr., Delrecco Gillespie, and Morgan Safford led a charged 25-11 run to tie the game at 59 as the M.A.C. Center roared to its feet. The Flashes and RedHawks began to trade blows in the high decibels with Kent State taking their first lead of the ballgame on a Rayvon Griffith one-hand slam with 9:09 left to play. Miami was missing key free throws down the stretch as Cian Medley began to heat up. Despite pushing to a five-point lead, the Red Hawks fought back to gaining an opportunity to tie the game with 11 seconds left. Luke Skaljac drove in a layup with six seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game at 92. Kent State was unable to score a game winner on the returning possession sending the game into overtime. Kent State fell behind in the extra frame by as much as six points. Buckets from Safford and Medley were not enough as Miami (OH) pulled away as KSU began to foul. 107-101 was the final.
The Golden Flashes vs Eastern Michigan
The Kent State Golden Flashes hold an all-time record of 51-37 over the Eastern Michigan Eagles. Saturday will be the 89th meeting between the programs as the Flashes seek to make it three straight wins over the Eagles. KSU and EMU first met in February of 1950 only beginning to play yearly starting during the 1973-1974 season. Kent State has won eight of the last 10 meetings including both matchups during the 2024-2025 season. In their last meeting the Flashes defeated EMU on senior night last season (March 7, 2025) by a final score of 76-70. Kent State outscored Eastern 45-34 in the second half coming back to win the game. It was KSU's final game prior to the 2025 MAC Tournament. The Blue and Gold also defeated Eastern Michigan in Ypsilanti a year ago (Feb. 4, 2025) winning by 21 points (70-49).
Broadcast Info
Fans can tune into the game on Fox Sports Radio 1350 with Dane Richardson on the call. The game will also be broadcast on ESPN+.
Next Up for Kent State
Kent State returns home for their game following EMU on Jan. 27 hosting Ohio University. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in the MACC.
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