The Zips and Flashes have also met in the MAC Tournament on a number of occasions , including three times in the championship game , all at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland . Kent State defeated the Zips 74 – 55 in the 2008 MAC Championship game , the Zips claimed the 2011 MAC Tournament championship over Kent State with a 66 – 65 overtime win , and Kent State won the 2017 MAC Tournament championship over Akron , 70 – 65 . Overall , the Zips hold a 5 – 3 edge in MAC tournament games , with Kent State picking up wins in 1998 , 2008 , and 2017 , and Akron defeating the Flashes in 2007 , 2011 , 2012 , 2013 , and 2015
2017 MAC Tournament championship
2017 MAC Men's Basketball Tournament
Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball