Vance Cooksey's free throws made the score 55-52 with 38 seconds left, but the Golden Flashes scored the final four points to hold on for the win.

    The Penguins (3-4) trailed 36-18 at halftime after shooting just 27.6 percent. Conversely, Kent State (7-2) scorched the nets for 61.5 percent making 16-of-26 shots, including 14-of-18 from two-point range.
    After KSU went in front 38-20, YSU scored 12 of the next 13 points to pull within 39-32 with 8:33 remaining in the game.

    Kent State appeared to regain control holding a 51-40 advantage with 3:54 left, but the Guins trimmed the deficit to 53-48 when Mel Johnson converted a layup with 1:35 remaining.

    Kent State's Al Fisher answered with a driving jumper in the lane to extend the lead to 55-48. However, the Guins scored four straight points on two free throws by John Barber and two by Cooksey.
    But Fisher struck again with a basket with 24 seconds left before adding two free throws with 11 seconds following a missed Johnson 3-point attempt to seal the outcome.

    Barber and Byron Davis led the Penguins with 14 points. Barber also grabbed seven rebounds. Johnson finished with eight points and a career-high eight rebounds off the bench.

    For KSU, Fisher had 16 and Haminn Quaintance had 12.

    YSU won the battle of the boards 34-32, but shot just 32.1 percent from the field for the game making 17-of-53 attempts. Kent State was 23-of-50 for 46 percent.

    The Penguins open Horizon League play on Saturday when they visit Cleveland State. Tipoff at the Wolstein Center is set for 5 p.m.