Kent State University
15-5,6-2MAC
Eastern Michigan
9-11,3-5MAC
Kent State Downs Eastern Michigan In Double Overtime
1/24/2026 7:21:00 PM | Men's Basketball
YPSILANTI, Mich. – Kent State Men's Basketball (15-5, 6-2 MAC) made it three straight wins over Eastern Michigan University on Saturday afternoon winning a thriller with the Eagles by a final score of 76-75 in two overtimes. Four Flashes tallied double-digits headlined by Rob Whaley Jr. matching his career high of 27 points in his second straight game.
The lids were on the rim on both ends of the floor early as neither team surpassed double-digits until over nine minutes had passed in the ballgame. The Golden Flashes outscored the Eagles over the next eight minutes albeit only by two (14-12). Kent State began to heat up from long range as Quinn Woidke dropped a trio from behind the arch. He led the Blue and Gold at the break with nine while Jahari Williamson tallied seven. The Flashes led 31-23 at the half. Neither team pulled away throughout the back 20 minutes. Cousins Delrecco Gillespie and Rob Whaley Jr. found their rhythm emerging as two of Kent State's leading scorers in the second half. Tied at 56 with 1:32 left to play. The Eagles took a one basket lead before Morgan Safford drew a foul to tie the game with free throws at 58. The game entered overtime as neither squad took the lead in the closing 10 seconds. The Flashes gained an advantage but ultimately could not pull away from EMU as Mohammed HabHab hit a three to tie things back up. The second overtime period began tied at 69. Kent State would not stop fighting as Whaley Jr., Gillespie, and Woidke scored every point keeping a narrow lead over EMU. The final score ended up 76-75 following an Eastern miss with the ball rolling out of bounce. After a review KSU was ruled to have possession.
The Box Score Story
Saturday marked Kent State's third straight win over Eastern Michigan. The two squads will meet again inside the MACC on Feb. 11. Whaley Jr. led the Golden Flashes in scoring for the second time this season and in a row matching his career high of 27 points. He's now up to four games with 20 points or more. Gillespie continues to stack up double-doubles now with 17 in 20 games (13 points, 12 rebounds). He has led the nation in double-doubles all season, and rebounds most of the season. Williamson scored 15 points tallying a trio of threes. He is up to nine double-digit games as a Golden Flash. With similar highlights in the stat line, Woidke also tallied his ninth double-digit performance of the year with a trio of threes scoring 13 points.
Up Next
The Flashes will be back in action on Tuesday, Jan. 27 hosting the Bobcats of Ohio University. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in the M.A.C. Center.
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