Box Score (pdf)

KENT, Ohio – A slow start shooting the ball and a rash of early turnovers doomed Eastern Kentucky University in a 93-78 loss at No. 16 ranked mid-major Kent State on Tuesday.
 
The Golden Flashes (5-1) scored seven of the first eight points and led 18-5 after a layup from Morgan Safford.  A pair of free throws and a layup from Rob Whaley Jr. gave Kent State a 22-point advantage with 10:15 left in the opening period.
 
After Delrecco Gillespie's dunk gave the home team a 23-point lead, 48-25, Jackson Holt hit a 3-pointer from each wing to get the Colonels within 17.  KSU led by 19 at the break, 53-34.
 
EKU shot 38% from the floor in the first half, hitting just 5-of-19 from 3-point range (26%).  Kent State made 56% of its first half shots.
 
A run of eight straight got the Colonels within 16 midway through the second half.  Tyler Jackson connected on a layup, MJ Williams hit a 3-pointer from the right wing and then Jackson followed with a three from the top of the key to make it 70-54 with 10:00 left in the game.
 
Three 3-pointers from the right wing by Juan Cranford Jr. closed the gap all the way to 11, 76-65, with 7:20 on the clock.  Two free throws from Jackson got the visitors within single digits, 76-67, with 6:59 to go.
 
The Golden Flashes put a stop to EKU's 21-6 run with a string of seven unanswered to secure the win.
 
Myrick led the Colonels (1-3) with 15 points and eight rebounds.  Cranford finished with 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting.  He made 4-of-8 from 3-point range.  Jackson finished with 12 and Holt added 10 points.
 
EKU shot 42% in the second half.
 
Gillespie had 25 points and 11 rebounds for Kent State.
 
EKU finished with 19 turnovers.  The Golden Flashes scored 25 points off those turnovers.
 
The Colonels will return home to host Mercer on Saturday at Baptist Health Arena.  The game is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. ET.