YPSILANTI, Mich. (Interstat) — A surging Kent State squad looks to rebound from a rare home loss when it visits a struggling Eastern Michigan team in a Mid-American Conference men’s basketball matchup Saturday at the Convocation Center.

The Golden Flashes (14-5, 4-2 MAC) enter having won five of their last seven, but are coming off a 107-101 overtime defeat to Miami (Ohio) on Tuesday. Kent State’s high-powered offense, which has scored 87 or more points in four of its last five games, was led in that loss by guard Rob Whaley’s 27 points and five assists.

Whaley has been a consistent force, averaging 15.3 points per game over his last seven contests. His backcourt mate, Cian Medley, added 23 points and seven assists against Miami.

The host Eagles (9-9, 2-4), meanwhile, have dropped three of their last four, including a 79-62 road loss to Western Michigan last Saturday. Eastern Michigan’s offense has sputtered, failing to reach 70 points in three of those four games. Guard Braelon Green, who scored 22 points in a loss at Bowling Green on Jan. 17, will be a key to reigniting the attack.

Kent State holds a decisive edge in recent history, winning 10 of the last 11 meetings. The Flashes won both contests last season by an average of 19 points.

Eastern Michigan will aim to leverage its home court, where it is 7-3 this season, including a 77-59 conference win over Northern Illinois on Jan. 13. Kent State is 4-3 in true road games.

A victory would keep Kent State near the top of the crowded MAC standings, while Eastern Michigan seeks a pivotal win to climb back to .500 in league play and revitalize its season.

The teams will meet again in Kent, Ohio, on Feb. 11.