Bowling Green jolts Kent State’s historical, No. 23 ranking, 89-83

The Golden Flashes had climbed into the AP’s Top 25 for the first time in school history.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

BOWLING GREEN — Brian Moten scored 24 points and had six of Bowling Green’s 11 3-pointers as the Falcons beat No. 23 Kent State 89-83 on Saturday in its first game as a ranked team.

The Golden Flashes (23-6, 11-3 Mid-American Conference) moved into The Associated Press’ Top 25 on Monday for the first time in school history.

Moten, who was 6-of-9 from 3-point range, had two late layups against the Golden Flashes’ pressure.

Freshman Joe Jakubowski had 21 points and 12 assists for the Falcons (13-14, 7-7), while freshman Chris Knight added 10 points and nine rebounds.

Mike Scott had 23 points and nine rebounds for Kent State, while Al Fisher added 20 points and Chris Singletary had 16.

The Falcons led by 11 points with 3:53 to play and then held off the Golden Flashes.

In addition to Moten’s two layups in the final minute, the Falcons went 7-of-8 from the free throw line in the late going.

A layup by Rodriguez Sherman brought Kent State within 45-44 with 15:14 left. After the teams traded 3-pointers the Falcons went on a 10-2 run.

Ryan Sims hit a 3-pointer before Jakubowski added a three-point play. Haminn Quaintance hit two free throws for Kent State before Moten hit a 3-pointer and Jakubowski added another 3 to make it 60-49 with 11:21 left.

The Golden Flashes got as close as 87-83 on a 3-pointer by Fisher with 9 seconds left but Darryl Clements hit two free throws to close the scoring.

Eastern Michigan 75,

Ball State 64

YPSILANTI, Mich. — Carlos Medlock scored 20 points and Jarred Axon added 16 to help Eastern Michigan.

Jesse Bunkley also had 14 points for the Eagles (12-15, 7-7 Mid-American), who have won four of their last five games. Eastern Michigan has won four straight MAC games at home for the first time since the 1997-98 season.

Cent. Michigan 80, N. Illinois 73

DEKALB, Ill. — Marko Spica came off the bench to score 19 points and lead Central Michigan.

Giordan Watson had 18 points and hit 9-of-10 free throws for Central Michigan (12-15, 7-7 Mid-American Conference). The Chippewas led 32-29 going into the break and held on during the second half, outscoring Northern Illinois (6-19, 3-10) 48-44.