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KENT, Ohio -- Senior Justin Manns tallied a career-best 18 points, while junior Randal Holt added 17 as the Kent State men’s basketball team posted an 83-63 victory over Morehead State on Thursday evening at the M.A.C. Center.
The Golden Flashes improve to 4-1 on the season, while the Eagles slip to 3-5 overall. KSU also improves to 4-2 in the all-time series.
Manns connected on 7-of-9 from the field, including three dunks in a 57-second span late in the second half. He also collected a game-high seven rebounds.
Holt came off the bench to knock down 5-of-8 from the floor, including 4-of-5 from three-point range. He also drilled 3-of-4 from the free-throw line and handed out five assists.
Senior Carlton Guyton, who finished with 11 points, was the third double-figure scorer for KSU.
Senior Ty Proffitt, who registered 13 points, led a balanced scoring attack for Morehead State.
Senior Lamont Austin and junior Kahlil Owens added 11 points apiece for the Eagles, while junior Marsell Holden contributed 10. The scoring totals for Owens and Holden were both season highs.
Owens, who entered the contest with just five points in seven games this season, made all five of his field-goal attempts. He also pulled down five rebounds.
KSU drilled 49 percent (28-of-57) from the field, while Morehead State made 45 percent (23-of-51). The Eagles were +5 in rebounding (37-32), but the Golden Flashes were +12 in steals (14-2).
Kent State committed just 10 turnovers while forcing 22. The home team also posted advantages of 50-27 in bench points, 29-13 in points off turnovers and 17-2 on the fast break.
Hill tied the game at 24 with a three-pointer at the 4:24 mark of the first half, but Kent State answered with a 12-4 run to take a 36-28 lead into the locker room.
The Golden Flashes added a 6-0 spurt after intermission to build a cushion they never relinquished. KSU’s largest advantage of 23 points came at the 4:25 mark of the second half.
Morehead State, which has played seven of its first eight games on the road in 2011-12, returns to Johnson Arena on Sunday for a 4 p.m. ET game against NAIA foe Mid-Continent (Ky.).
The Eagles continue their three-game homestand on Wednesday against Illinois State at 7 p.m. and Dec. 10 vs. South Dakota at 7 p.m.
