ATHENS – Ohio erased one deficit but could not come back from a second one in a 66-52 loss to Kent State on Tuesday night at The Convo.

The Bobcats trailed 37-26 at halftime, came back to tie the score eight minutes into the second half but had no answer for the Golden Flashes’ run that followed. Kent State scored nine straight points, and Ohio got no closer than six after that.

Jaylin Walker led the Golden Flashes (13-4, 2-2 Mid-American Conference) with 21 points, while Jalen Avery scored 15 points. Philip Wittington and Antonio Williams scored 10 points each.

Ohio (9-7, 1-3 MAC) shot just 31.7 percent in the game and was led by Jason Carter and Teyvion Kirk with 11 points each. Carter added 13 rebounds. Kirk had seven rebounds and four steals but was just 4 of 22 shooting. Antonio Cowart Jr. finished with 10 points.

The Bobcats stayed close with offensive rebounds, grabbing 18 of them, but they could not make enough shots. They were 4 of 20 from long range and 8 of 16 at the foul line.

Ohio faces Toledo at 7 p.m. Friday at Savage Arena.