KENT, Ohio -- Kellon Thomas and Xavier Pollard had 16 points apiece and Kent State beat Louisiana-Monroe 73-62 in the first sub-regional night of the Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic on Thursday.
Jaylin Walker added 11 points for the Golden Flashes (6-2), who led by no more than six until they pulled away late with an 8-0 run. Deon Edwin's dunk near the end of the run gave them their first double-digit lead and Pollard capped it at 62-50 with 1 of 2 free throws and 3:39 left.
Kent State made 7 of 8 free throws from there and the Warhawks (4-3) got no closer than 68-59 on Jamaal Samuel's 3-pointer with 1:42 left.