After missing the past five games with mononucleosis, Kent State (19-8, 10-4 MAC) star forward Jimmy Hall returned to the floor in a 64-51 victory over Ohio University (9-16, 4-10 MAC).  

Hall, a redshirt sophomore, played just 17 minutes and scored nine points before eventually fouling out.

“It’s great to have him back,” coach Rob Senderoff said. “He’s a little bit rusty, but him back in the lineup gives our team a lift.”

The Flashes were 3-2 during Hall’s absence.

Senior guard Devareaux Manley led the team with 16 points, moving him into second place on both Kent State’s all-time career three-pointers made with 211 and three-pointers made in a single season at 88.

“It’s great to see him play well because he’s had a career year,” Senderoff said. “…When things weren’t going so well for him earlier in his career, he just continued to work and get better. “

Manley is on pace to pass Randal Holt, who holds the record for both and set the single season record of 89 in the 2012-2013 season. Manley needs just one more three-pointer to tie Holt for three-pointers in a season and 36 to tie Holt for threes in a career.

Senior guard Kris Brewer also added 11 points.

For Ohio, sophomore forward Antonio Campbell led the Bobcats with 14 points and senior guard Stevie Taylor contributed with 13 points off the bench.

With the win, the Flashes now sit alone atop the MAC standings. Kent State has four games remaining in the regular season, three of which will play a role in deciding the seeding for the MAC Tournament. Buffalo (17-9, 8-6 MAC), Bowling Green (17-8, 9-5 MAC) and Akron (17-9, 8-5 MAC) all sit high in the MAC East standings and have won against the Flashes earlier this season.

“The only thing we are focused on right now is Tuesday night at Miami (University) (10-16, 5-8 MAC),” Senderoff said. “We’ll worry about those teams when we get there.”

Tip-off at Miami is at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Contact Stephen Means II at [email protected]