KENT, Ohio — Senior guard Mike Nuga finished with a career-best 26 points with five rebounds and two steals to lead Kent State to a comfortable 80-54 victory over Western Michigan on Saturday.
The victory saw Kent State snapping its two-game losing streak after falling to Akron and Toledo in the previous meetings.
“Great, great win for us,” coach Rob Senderoff said. “Coming off two tough losses it’s great to see us bounced back.”
“We started out slow, but really played well in the second half and had a lot of guys who stepped up in a big way. I am really proud of the effort and obviously the win.”
Nuga shot an efficient 10-of-19 from the field in 35 minutes.
Giovanni Santiago had 13 points and shot 4 of 6 from the field with three 3-pointers for the Golden Flashes (4-3, 1-2 Mid-American Conference).
Justyn Hamilton added 10 points and nine rebounds and Gabe O’Neal scored six points with eight rebounds for Kent State, which 50.0% from the field on 33 of 66 from the field and outrebounded the Broncos 37-28.
B. Artis White had 12 points for Western Michigan (2-7, 1-3). Greg Lee finished with nine points, four rebounds, and two assists in the defeat.
Both teams went into the interval locked at 27-all, but the Golden Flashes outscored the Broncos 53-27 in the second half to seal the win.
“We were fortunate to be tied [at halftime],” Senderoff said. “The defense was pretty good the whole game but offensively we were really, really lethargic in the first half.”
Kent State led 80-50 with 1:53 left in the game.
The Flashes returned to action on Tuesday against Central Michigan.
Western Michigan will also hit the court again on Tuesday against Buffalo.
