Kent State Edges Central Michigan in Thrilling Finish
Tuesday, February 24, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · M.A.C. Center
Kent State Golden Flashes 83, Central Michigan Chippewas 81, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Central Michigan Chippewas vs Kent State Golden Flashes?
Kent State Golden Flashes beat Central Michigan Chippewas 83-81 at M.A.C. Center on February 24, 2026.
Who was favored in Central Michigan Chippewas vs Kent State Golden Flashes?
Kent State Golden Flashes were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -800 (about 89% implied). The favorite won.
In a tightly contested matchup, the Kent State Golden Flashes narrowly defeated the Central Michigan Chippewas 83-81 at the M.A.C. Center. This game showcased the competitive spirit of both teams, particularly in the context of their recent performances leading up to this encounter. Kent State entered the game with a solid home record of 21-7 and was riding a three-game winning streak, having averaged 77.6 points per game while allowing 76.0 over their last ten outings. In contrast, Central Michigan, with a record of 9-19, had been struggling but managed to secure a win in their last game, breaking a streak of inconsistency that saw them average 74.9 points scored and 73.1 points allowed over the same span.
Kent State's recent form has been impressive, particularly at home where they held a 3-1 record in their last four home games. Their scoring prowess was evident in their previous matchups, including a high-scoring victory against Eastern Michigan, where they won 95-91. The Golden Flashes' ability to score was complemented by their resilience, as they managed to bounce back from a couple of tough losses earlier in the season. On the other hand, Central Michigan had struggled on the road, with a dismal away record of 0-5 in their last five games, but they did show flashes of potential with a recent win against Western Michigan, where they scored 83 points.
The history between these two teams added an intriguing layer to the matchup. In their previous two meetings, each team had secured a victory, with Kent State winning 91-83 at home last season and Central Michigan edging them out 87-85 in their most recent encounter earlier this season. This back-and-forth dynamic set the stage for a thrilling showdown.
In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any key players missing from either roster, suggesting that both teams were at full strength for this critical game. This was important as both squads relied heavily on their starters to carry the load, especially in a high-stakes environment like this.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, favored Kent State significantly, with a spread of -11.5 and a moneyline of -800 for the Golden Flashes, while Central Michigan was listed at +550. The total for the game was set at 156.5, indicating expectations for a high-scoring affair, which ultimately proved accurate given the final score.
The conditions in the M.A.C. Center were favorable for basketball, with a vibrant crowd supporting the Golden Flashes. Fans witnessed a back-and-forth battle that saw multiple lead changes and clutch free throws in the closing moments. Central Michigan's Cian Medley was pivotal in keeping his team competitive, making several crucial free throws that brought the Chippewas within striking distance. However, Kent State's Rob Whaley Jr. delivered the decisive blow with a jumper that sealed the game in the final seconds.
Viewers should have watched for the high-pressure moments that defined the second half, particularly the free throw shooting that became critical as the game wound down. Both teams exhibited a mix of offensive strategies, with Kent State leaning on their ability to penetrate the defense while Central Michigan relied on perimeter shooting and quick transitions. The final score reflected the intensity of the matchup, with both teams showcasing their strengths and weaknesses in a game that could have swung either way until the final buzzer.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | KENT -11.5 | 156.5 o -105 / u -115 | Central Michigan Chippewas +550 · Kent State Golden Flashes -800 |
Leaders
- PointsDelrecco Gillespie17Kent State Golden Flashes
- AssistsCian Medley6Kent State Golden Flashes
- ReboundsDelrecco Gillespie11Kent State Golden Flashes
- PointsPhat Phat Brooks20Central Michigan Chippewas
- AssistsPhat Phat Brooks7Central Michigan Chippewas
- ReboundsTamario Adley6Central Michigan Chippewas
Recent form
Kent State Golden Flashes
Last 10: 7-3Streak W377.6 scored · 76 allowed per game3-1 at home
- W78-71at Bowling Green FalconsFeb 18
- W75-68at Ball State CardinalsFeb 14
- W95-91vs Eastern Michigan EaglesFeb 12
- L65-66at Southern Miss Golden EaglesFeb 7
- W75-72at Toledo RocketsFeb 4
- L52-69at Akron ZipsJan 30
- W72-57vs Ohio BobcatsJan 28
- W76-75at Eastern Michigan EaglesJan 24
- L101-107vs Miami (OH) RedHawksJan 21
- W87-84vs Toledo RocketsJan 16
Central Michigan Chippewas
Last 10: 4-6Streak W174.9 scored · 73.1 allowed per game0-5 away
- W83-70vs Western Michigan BroncosFeb 21
- L54-66at Eastern Michigan EaglesFeb 17
- W88-46vs Northern Illinois HuskiesFeb 14
- L80-85at Louisiana Ragin' CajunsFeb 7
- L89-95at Massachusetts MinutemenFeb 4
- W62-59vs Bowling Green FalconsFeb 1
- W100-65vs Eastern Michigan EaglesJan 28
- L65-77at Western Michigan BroncosJan 24
- L67-68vs Ball State CardinalsJan 21
- L61-100at Miami (OH) RedHawksJan 14
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami (OH) | 32-2 | - | 18-0 |
| Akron | 29-6 | 1 | 17-1 |
| Kent State | 24-10 | 4 | 14-4 |
| Toledo | 19-15 | 7 | 11-7 |
| Bowling Green | 18-14 | 9 | 9-9 |
| Ohio | 15-17 | 9 | 9-9 |
| Buffalo | 17-15 | 11 | 7-11 |
| Massachusetts | 17-16 | 11 | 7-11 |
| Ball State | 12-19 | 11 | 7-11 |
| Central Michigan | 10-21 | 12 | 6-12 |
| Western Michigan | 10-21 | 14 | 4-14 |
| Eastern Michigan | 10-21 | 14 | 4-14 |
| Northern Illinois | 9-21 | 10 | 4-14 |
Box score
| Stat | Central Michigan Chippewas | Kent State Golden Flashes |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 27-53 | 26-54 |
| Field goal % | 51 | 48 |
| Three-pointers | 12-25 | 9-24 |
| Three-point % | 48 | 38 |
| Free throws | 15-22 | 22-28 |
| Free throw % | 68 | 79 |
| Rebounds | 25 | 35 |
| Offensive rebounds | 9 | 14 |
| Defensive rebounds | 16 | 21 |
| Assists | 15 | 16 |
| Steals | 8 | 7 |
| Blocks | 3 | 1 |
| Turnovers | 13 | 13 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 1 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 1 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 1 |
| Points off turnovers | 23 | 10 |
| Fast-break points | 22 | 12 |
| Points in the paint | 26 | 32 |
| Fouls | 22 | 18 |
| Largest lead | 19 | 2 |
| Lead changes | 3 | 3 |
| Time in front | 95 | 2 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half59-47Jahari Williamson makes 28-foot three point jumper (Cian Medley assists)
- 2nd Half60-47Phat Phat Brooks makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half61-47Phat Phat Brooks makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half61-48Morgan Safford makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half61-49Morgan Safford makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half63-49Phat Phat Brooks makes layup
- 2nd Half63-51Morgan Safford makes 5-foot dunk (Quinn Woidke assists)
- 2nd Half63-53Rob Whaley Jr. makes 8-foot jumper (Jahari Williamson assists)
- 2nd Half63-56Quinn Woidke makes 24-foot three point jumper (Morgan Safford assists)
- 2nd Half63-59Quinn Woidke makes 24-foot three point jumper (Cian Medley assists)
- 2nd Half65-59Jaxson Whitaker makes layup (Keenan Garner assists)
- 2nd Half67-59Phat Phat Brooks makes 13-foot jumper
- 2nd Half70-59Tamario Adley makes 27-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half70-60Delrecco Gillespie makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half70-61Delrecco Gillespie makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half72-61Logan McIntire makes 8-foot jumper
- 2nd Half72-62Quinn Woidke makes free throw 1 of 3
- 2nd Half72-63Quinn Woidke makes free throw 2 of 3
- 2nd Half72-64Quinn Woidke makes free throw 3 of 3
- 2nd Half73-64Keenan Garner makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half73-66Delrecco Gillespie makes 5-foot dunk
- 2nd Half74-66Phat Phat Brooks makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half74-68Morgan Safford makes layup (Cian Medley assists)
- 2nd Half75-68Phat Phat Brooks makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half75-71Cian Medley makes 25-foot three point jumper (Rob Whaley Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half77-71Nathan Claerbaut makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half78-71Logan McIntire makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half79-71Logan McIntire makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half80-71Logan McIntire makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half80-73Quinn Woidke makes layup
- 2nd Half80-74Quinn Woidke makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half80-75Rob Whaley Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half80-76Rob Whaley Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half80-77Cian Medley makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half80-78Cian Medley makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half80-79Cian Medley makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half80-80Cian Medley makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half80-81Delrecco Gillespie makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half81-81Phat Phat Brooks makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half81-83Rob Whaley Jr. makes 13-foot jumper (Jahari Williamson assists)
Win probability
Above the line favours Kent State Golden Flashes, below favours Central Michigan Chippewas.
Venue
- M.A.C. CenterKent, OH
- Attendance2124
- OfficialsJim Bruno, Rob Kueneman, Mason Siler
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