Kent State University
Central Michigan
Golden Flashes Travel to Central Michigan for Weekend MACtion
1/9/2026 10:28:00 AM | Men's Basketball
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Kent State Men's Basketball (12-3) seeks to stay unbeaten in Mid-American Conference play (3-0) this Saturday, Jan. 10 when they travel to the middle of the mitten in Mount Pleasant to take on the Central Michigan University Chippewas. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET in CMU's McGuirk Arena. The Golden Flashes will be taking on a team still seeking out its first conference victory of the 2025-2026 season.
Last Time Out
Kent State took down the Bowling Green Falcons on the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 6 in a fast paced thriller at home. The game was close from the jump with the teams trading the lead in the opening five minutes the game was fast and high scoring with Kent State leading 20-18 with just over 12 minutes left in the first. Following a 22-22 tie Kent State regained the lead with a Morgan Safford three and Rob Whaley Jr. layup. Bowling Green responded with a fast pace 6-2 run over the next three and half minutes to take a lead of their own. Both squads continued to push the pace into the break with Delrecco Gillespie and Safford combining buckets to tie the game for Kent State at 45. The Golden Flashes opened the second half on a 14 to 9 run to push the lead back to as high as nine points. Neither team refused to go away with BGSU taking the lead back 68-66 at the 9:51 mark, and Kent State responding back to a 72-72 tie. Neither team backed down over the final five minutes. Kent State trailed 93-90 with 1:28 when Gillespie scored six unanswered points to snatch the lead and the 96-93 win in the closing seconds.
The Golden Flashes vs. The Chippewas
Saturday's matchup will be the renewal of a series that first began in January of 1950 when the Kent State and Central Michigan men's basketball programs first played. It will be the 91st meeting in a series that historically Kent State has owned. The Golden Flashes hold a 55-36 record against the Chippewas all-time. They are currently on a two-game winning streak having won last year's lone matchup in the MACC on Feb. 11, 2025, by a final score of 91-83. Kent State holds a 34-11 record against CMU at home, however a 20-21 record when playing on the road. Central Michigan also holds an undefeated 4-0 record over Kent State at neutral site games. The Golden Flashes can bring their record at CMU back to .500 and their overall to 56-36 with a win.
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 will be back on the floor Tuesday, Jan. 13 against the University at Buffalo on the road at 6:30 p.m.
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