HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. (AP) -- Mike Scott scored 18 points to lead the Kent State Golden Flashes to a 65-59 victory over the Illinois State Redbirds and claim third place in the Chicago Invitational Challenge on Saturday.

ISU (3-2) kept it close, but they were never able to take control of the game. Osiris Eldridge, the leading scorer for ISU this season, put together 11 points. But the Redbirds played from behind for most of the game.

Toward the end of the first half Kent State (4-2) went on a 13-0 run, capped off by a 3-pointer from junior forward Rashad Woods to give the Golden Flashes a 10-point lead. Sophomore forward Chris Singletary's 7 first-half points helped lift Kent State to a 33-24 lead at halftime.

ISU came out strong in the second half, outscoring the Golden Flashes 10-5 in the early minutes of the period and cutting Kent State's lead to 4 on a thunderous dunk from senior forward Anthony Slack, who finished the game with 10 points.

The Redbirds tied the game at 47 on a lay-up from junior forward Mike Vandello, but they were unable to keep up the pace.

Kent State senior forward Haminn Quaintance, who scored 12 points on the day, had a strong second half and helped the Golden Flashes rebuild their lead.

Kent State has now won their last five meetings against ISU.