Courtesy: Robert Barclay/CMU Jordan Bitzer raises up for a three-point try against Kent State on Saturday night. Bitzer finished with a team-high 19 points in the Chippewas' 68-63 setback to the Flashes.

MOUNT PLEASANT -- In a game that lived up to its billing between the division leaders in the Mid-American Conference, West Division leader Central Michigan came up just short against East Division leader Kent State, 68-63, at Rose Center on Saturday.

Jordan Bitzer paced the Chippewas with 19 points, while Jalin Thomas (12 points) and Antonio Weary (10) gave the Maroon and Gold three in double-figures in a game that featured nine ties and six lead changes.

Foul trouble sent star point guard Robbie Harman to the bench six minutes into the first half, but Amir Rashid stepped up in his place. The junior went 3-for-4 in the first half, finishing with seven points in the frame, nine in the contest.

Thomas led CMU with 10 points at the break, guiding Central to a 31-28 lead despite a 2-for-13 effort from long range through 20 minutes. Helping ease that burden was the fact that Central went 8-for-10 inside the arc.

The score was tied seven times in the opening frame between the two division leaders and the lead changed hands three times.

An 11-4 run early in the second half gave CMU the largest lead of the game for either side at 48-39 with 12:54 left, but KSU answered with a 13-0 run to take a four-point lead, 52-48, with 7:40 to go.

A swipe and emphatic dunk by Antonio Weary put CMU back ahead by one with 4:10 to play, but KSU answered with a 7-0 run and held a 64-58 lead with 1:56 to go.

Weary would hit a three from the right corner with nine seconds left, drawing the Chippewas within one possession, 66-63, but a pair of free throws by Justin Green would allow the Golden Flashes to escape with a victory.

CMU shot 49 percent from the field, 30 percent from long range (8-for-27) but KSU connected at 58 percent from the floor, including 68 percent in the second half, as well as 55 percent from three (6-for-11). The Golden Flashes also held the edge on the glass, 27-24.

Despite the loss, Central Michigan remains a half-game up on Ball State for first place in the West Division. Kent State has now won each of the last 15 meetings during the regular season.