With two minutes remaining, it looked like Kent State was going to make things interesting Saturday night in The Convo as they drew to within five points of the Bobcats. But just as they threatened to end Ohio’s unbeaten streak at home, the Golden Flashes lost control.

Kent State was charged with three technical fouls — two on guard Chris Singletary and one on the Golden Flashes bench for unsportsmanlike conduct — sending Ohio forward Jerome Tillman to the line for six free throws.

Tillman sunk five of the free throws to seal Ohio’s 71-59 win over Kent State marking the first time the Bobcats have defeated the Golden Flashes since the 2005 Mid-American Conference Tournament.

“I never did that before,” Tillman said. “ I missed the first one but that kind of goes with the territory sometimes. It was kind of awkward for me but you’ve got to make the play.”

Tillman had 23 points on 8-of-11 shooting against Kent State (14-4, 3-1 MAC) as the Bobcats (11-6, 2-2 MAC) became just the fifth team this season to score more than 70 points against the Golden Flashes’ stingy defense.

But it was guard Bert Whittington IV, who started against Kent State in place of the injured Bubba Walther, that provided a constant stream of energy and points with a career high 26 point showing that included five 3-pointers.

“It was great to see a guy like Bert Whittington IV step up,” O’Shea said. “He got an opportunity and he really made the most of it I thought today.”

At the end of the first half the Bobcats held a 36-25 lead with Whittington IV accounting for 16 of Ohio’s points. Christian said the Golden Flashes dug themselves a deep hole in the first half with poor defensive play that buoyed Ohio’s confidence and made it significantly harder for Kent State to find a way back in to the game.

“It meant a lot for us psychologically to beat them,” O’Shea said. “I think Kent State, to this point on tape, is the best team I’ve seen in the conference.”