Avery scores 23 as Kent St. beats Cleveland St.

CLEVELAND (AP) Jalen Avery scored 23 points, including two free throws in the closing seconds, and Kent State never trailed in its 83-79 win over Cleveland State on Saturday night.

Antonio Williams had 18 points, CJ Williamson added 16 and Mitch Peterson scored 13 for Kent State (1-0).

Tyree Appleby scored 11 points, including three 3-pointers, during a 12-2 run that made it 55-all - the first tie of the game - with 12 minutes to go. Peterson answered with a 3 that sparked an 11-0 run over the next three minutes but Stefan Kenic converted a 3-point play that pulled Cleveland State (0-2) within two with 1:11 to play. The Vikings, however, went 0 for 3 from the field from there and Avery's free throws with 14 seconds left capped the scoring.

Appleby finished with career highs of 28 points and five 3-pointers, all in the second half.