Kent State University
23-8,14-4MAC
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Western Michigan
10-21,4-14MAC
Golden Flashes Close Out Regular Season with Senior Night Win over Western Michigan
3/6/2026 11:56:00 PM | Men's Basketball
KENT – Kent State Men's Basketball (23-8, 14-4 MAC) closed out their regular season home slate with an 86-78 victory over Western Michigan University on Friday night at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center. Six Golden Flashes dropped double digits while KSU knocked down 14 three-pointers to secure the win on Senior Night. Seniors Morgan Safford and Rob Whaley Jr. were honored during pregame.
Kent State came out firing in the opening half establishing an early lead and never trailing in the ballgame. Morgan Safford scored the first seven points for the Flashes with a jumper and a pair of free throws before drilling a three. Jahari Williamson added an early triple as Kent State jumped ahead 13-3. Quinn Woidke provided a spark off the bench with five first-half three-pointers, including three consecutive triples in a four-minute span that extended the lead. Cian Medley orchestrated the offense and contributed his own three-pointer as the Flashes built momentum. Kent State shot a scorching 58.6% from the field in the opening half, including 66.7% from beyond the arc, making 10-of-15 three-point attempts. The Golden Flashes led 46-37 at the half. The Blue and Gold maintained control throughout the second half. Woidke continued his hot shooting with two more three-pointers in the opening minutes of the second half to extend his personal total to seven triples. Rob Whaley Jr. scored efficiently inside, while Safford battled for rebounds and key baskets. Western Michigan made a push downt he stretch trimming the lead to three points at 71-68 with 6:19 left to play. Kent State responded as Williamson knocked down a clutch three-pointer with six minutes remaining to push the lead back to six, and Magnus Entenmann hit a momentum-swinging triple on the next possession to make it 79-70. The Flashes sealed the victory at the free-throw line to maintain their advantage winning by eight.
The Box Score Story
The win marks Kent State's 14th in conference for the fifth time in program history. Williamson led the Flashes with 16 points on 5-of-9 shooting, including 3-of-7 from three-point range. Woidke finished with 15 points going 5-of-7 beyond the arc. Medley and Safford each contributed 14 points, with Medley adding five assists and Safford grabbing four rebounds. Whaley Jr. chipped in 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting. Delrecco Gillespie added 11 points and a team high eight rebounds. Kent State won the rebounding battle 36-35 and forced 11 Western Michigan turnovers while committing just 13 themselves. The Flashes made 14-of-34 three-pointers and converted 14-of-22 free throws in the victory.
Next Up for Kent State
Kent State is locked in as the three seed in next week's Mid-American Conference Tournament in Cleveland. The Flashes will take on Ohio University in the first round as the final game on Thursday, March 12th.Â
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