Senior forward Justin Greene scored 18 points and Kent State defeated Ball State, 76-55, Saturday in front of 2,472 at the Memorial Athletic Convocation Center.

Four Flashes scored in double-figures as Kent State recorded its 30th-consecutive victory over a Mid-American Conference West Division opponent. Greene led all scorers, but Kent State’s bench proved to be the difference Saturday, outscoring Ball State 25-6.

Junior forward Chris Evans was partially responsible for the difference in bench points, as he finished the afternoon with 11 points, six rebounds and two blocks. Sophomore guard Eric Gaines added seven points, and freshman Devareaux Manley combined with junior Patrick Jackson to score seven more off the bench for Kent State.

The two teams were tied at 11-11 with just over 11 minutes left in the first half when Kent State made its first substantial run of the game.

Led by Greene and Evans, Kent State went on a 16-5 run midway through the first half to put the Flashes ahead by 11. A 3-pointer by Manley gave Kent State a 38-24 lead heading into halftime.

Kent State started the second half with a 3-pointer from junior guard Randal Holt, who finished the game with 13 points, but Ball State wasn’t discouraged and went on a 10-2 run to cut Kent State’s lead to 43-34. The Flashes responded with a 20-6 run to take a 60-40 lead with 10:17 remaining in regulation.

Ball State couldn’t mount a comeback, and Kent State coasted to a 76-55 victory. The Flashes extended their winning streak to six games and improved to 18-6 overall and 8-3 in the MAC. Kent State’s next game is Tuesday, as the Flashes host Buffalo at 7 p.m.

Contact Nick Shook at [email protected].