KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Nelson Kirksey scored a career-high 24 points on Saturday as Missouri-Kansas City took a close lead at the half and held on to beat Youngstown State 88-80 on Saturday.

Kirksey shot 8 of 13 (61.5 percent) from the floor and led all four other UMKC starters in double figures. The Kangaroos (2-6) got 18 points each from Martez Harrison and Frank Williams Jr., and Trinity Hall added 15 while Fred Chatmon scored 11. Williams Jr. scored three of UMKC'S six 3-pointers.

The Penguins took their largest lead of the game at 23-19 with 7:06 to play in the first half, but UMKC slowly edged past and led 42-34 at the break.

Youngstown State pulled within two (55-53) with 12:36 remaining after a layup by DJ Cole. Kendrick Perry led all scorers with 33 points, but it wasn't enough to sustain the Penguins (7-4).