NEWARK, N.J. -- Kellon Thomas scored 22 points and Kent State pulled out a win over NJIT 80-75 on Monday.

Thomas broke a 75-all tie with 1:12 left with a 3-pointer and, after NJIT's Damon Lynn missed a 3, Xavier Pollard made a pair of free throws to ice it.

Thomas was 8 of 15 from the floor, including 6 of 9 from beyond the arc. He also had six assists. Jimmy Hall scored 17 points while Pollard finished with 15 points and nine rebounds for Kent State (5-2).

NJIT (5-4) was led by Tim Coleman with 20 points. Lynn and Rob Ukawuba added 14 points apiece. The Highlanders won the battle of the boards 45-34.

Thomas' 3-pointer late in the first tied it, but Winfield Willis and Coleman both made a pair from the line and NJIT led 35-32 at the break.

The lead reached nine early in the second, but an 11-3 run drew Kent State even again at 49 midway through the second.