ESPN Men's Basketball

ATHENS, Ohio (AP) -- Bert Whittington scored 26 points and Jerome Tillman 23 to lead Ohio past Kent State 71-59 on Saturday night.

The Bobcats (11-6, 2-2 Mid-American Conference) trailed 7-2 early before gaining control. They built their lead to as much as 17 points early in the second half.

Whittington hit 5-of-9 3-point attempts, while Tillman was 8-for-11 from the field. The Bobcats shot 49 percent.

Leon Williams had seven points, 10 rebounds and four assists in an all-around game for the Bobcats.

Al Fisher had 15 points, Haminn Quaintance 12 points and 12 rebounds and Mike Scott 11 points for the Golden Flashes (14-4, 3-1). They trailed 36-25 at the break, losing their early five-point lead when Ohio countered with a 14-2 run.