Spicer, Thomas help Kent St. rock Akron 85-76 in MAC rivalry

KENT, Ohio (AP) Khaliq Spicer and Kellon Thomas scored 22 points each as Kent State upended Akron 85-76 on national television Friday night, tightening the race for the Mid-American Conference title.

Spicer, who equaled a career high, made 8 of 10 field goals and Thomas was 7-for-9 as Kent State shot 52-percent (30-58), and converted on 22 of 32 free throw attempts to pull within a game of Akron for first in the MAC's East Division.

Jimmy Hall added 17 points and Galal Cancer grabbed 10 rebounds and had four assists for the Golden Flashes (18-9, 9-5).

Isaiah Johnson led Akron (21-6, 10-4) with 24 points, making 10 of 14 field goals and grabbing nine rebounds. Kwan Cheatham, Jr. and Jake Kretzer each hit three 3-pointers as Akron, the third-ranked 3-point shooting team in the nation, made 10 of 33 from distance. Kretzer scored nine points and Cheatham finished with 17.