MUNCIE, Ind. -- Xavier Pollard and Kellon Thomas combined for 42 points and Kent State led from start to finish defeating Ball State 76-68 Tuesday night in a clash between division leaders in the Mid-American Conference.

Pollard scored 222 points shooting 9 of 14 from the floor, including 3 of 5 3-pointers for Kent State (13-5, 4-1 MAC East) while Thomas scored 20 points, with 11 of 12 at the foul line. The Golden Flashes shot 51-percent from the field (25-49) and made 20 of 25 foul shots.

Ryan Weber led Ball State (12-6, 3-2 MAC West) with 16 points and four 3-pointers while Jeremie Tyler added 11 points on three treys. The Cardinals shot 24 times from 3-point range, making 11, but shot 41 percent from the field (24-59), were 9 of 13 at the foul line and outrebounded 36-28.

Ball State slipped behind Northern Illinois, which won on Tuesday.