Kent St. drops C. Michigan behind De La Rosa's career game

Jan 7, 2018, 03:01 am

KENT, Ohio -- Adonis De La Rosa had career highs of 24 points and 14 rebounds and Kent State defeated Central Michigan 85-69 on Saturday.

Jaylin Walker scored 26 points on 6-of-9 shooting from 3-point range -- and 6 of 7 from the free-throw line -- Kevin Zabo scored 17 points and Jaylen Avery 12 and the Golden Flashes never trailed.

Kent State (7-8, 1-1 Mid-American Conference) built a 15-4 lead as Walker made three 3s within the first five minutes. Kevin McKay made a 3-pointer and a layup, and Josh Kozinski made a pair of 3s and Central Michigan (12-3, 1-1) closed to 20-15. Zabo then scored the next 10 points for the Golden Flashes with two layups, a 3-point play and a 3-pointer.

Up 32-25, De La Rosa sparked a 14-5 run with a 3-point play and dunk sandwiched around BJ Duling's 3 and back-to-back 3s by Walker, and Kent State led 46-30 at halftime.

Central Michigan didn't get closer than eight points in the second half.

Luke Meyer led Central Michigan with 15 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Kozinski added 12 points and Kevin McKay scored 10.