KENT, OH ? Following a solid start in the game's first 10 minutes, Toledo couldn't hold the MAC's top-ranked offense down as Kent State (11-11, 4-4 MAC) rolled to an 81-53 triumph over the Rockets (4-18, 2-6 MAC) on Tuesday evening at the M.A.C. Center.

Senior G Tyrone Kent led the Rockets with 17 points, shooting 6-of-11 from the field, and also dished out a season-high six assists. Sophomore F Justin Anyijong tallied 13 points and a game-high nine rebounds for his sixth straight contest scoring in double figures. Freshman G Larry Bastfield also was in double figures with a season-best 11 points.

Junior G Tyree Evans led a balanced Kent State attack with 14 points with junior G Mike McKee and senior F Julian Sullinger tallying 12 points apiece. The Golden Flashes registered a 56.4 field-goal percentage for the highest shooting mark by a Rocket opponent this season.

Anyijong and Kent scored the Rockets' first 17 points helping UT to a 15-11 advantage just over nine minutes into the contest. The Golden Flashes then went on a 12-2 run over the next six minutes with UT's only points coming on a pair of Anyijong free throws.

Senior G Anthony Byrd ended the Flashes' spurt with a trey from the right wing and Anyijong hit a baseline jumper to bring the Rockets within 28-22 4:20 before halftime. The Golden Flashes ended the opening stanza with a 13-3 run though to take a 41-25 lead into the locker room at halftime. McKee keyed what turned out to be the game-deciding run with three of his four first-half-trifectas.

KSU continued its onslaught by scoring nine of the first 10 points in the second half to take a 50-26 advantage and end any thoughts of a Rocket comeback.

Toledo returns home on Saturday, Feb. 7 to host Miami (12-5, 5-2 MAC). Tip-off is set for 2:30 p.m. with the contest being televised by FSN Ohio.