MAC ROUNDUP Kent tops NIU, ties for second

Marshall got its first conference win of the season.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
KENT -- Kevin Warzynski had 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Kent State got off to a fast start in beating Northern Illinois 67-57 Sunday.
The Golden Flashes (15-7, 7-4 Mid-American Conference) took an 11-3 lead in the first five minutes and led by as many as 17 points in the first half, when they shot 58.3 percent from the field.
The Huskies (8-12, 4-8) pulled to 42-32 at halftime, but got no closer than nine points in the second half. Northern Illinois' only lead in the game was at 1-0.
Nate Gerwig added 14 points for Kent State and Jason Edwin scored 10. Mike McKinney and Paige Paulsen each scored 12 points for Northern Illinois.
Kent State tied Akron and Ohio for second place in the MAC East Division, two games behind Miami of Ohio.
Toledo 64, Cent. Michigan 56
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- Keith Triplett scored 16 points and handed out six assists to lead Toledo.
The Chippewas (7-13, 2-10 Mid-American) held a 45-44 lead with 7:37 left in the game, but the Rockets (10-10, 6-5) went on an 11-0 run to take a 55-45 lead and control of the game.
Toledo used a zone defense to stifle the Chippewas' offense and get their second road win of the season.
Marshall 90, Ball St. 81
MUNCIE, Ind. -- A.W. Hamilton scored 24 points, including three straight 3-pointers in the second half that gave Marshall the lead for good in its first Mid-American Conference victory of the season.
The Thundering Herd (4-10, 1-10) trailed 44-41 at halftime but opened the second half with four 3-pointers in their first five possessions, including the three straight by Hamilton that gave Marshall a 55-54 lead with 16:19 left.
Marshall pushed its lead to double figures until Ball State rallied to close within 81-78 with just over four minutes to play on two Dennis Trammell free throws. The Cardinals (12-7, 7-4) came no closer.