The Kent State men’s basketball defeated Central Michigan 66-53 tonight in the M.A.C. Center.

Shoves and dunks stood out in the night’s performance.

With 10:41 left in the first half, junior forward Justin Greene chest bumped a Central Michigan player, who ended up on the ground.

An obvious foul was called, but then the player on the floor kicked up his leg to trip Greene, forcing the Kent State player to fall face-first on the court as well.

Just 30 seconds later, senior guard Rod Sherman took a tumble, bringing a camera man with him. Both parties were OK.

But it wasn’t just Kent State players on the ground.

With 8:36 left in the first half, freshman guard Eric Gaines collided with Central Michigan’s William McClure. A limping McClure took a break on the bench.

The physicality moved on to the hoop as four Kent State players executed slam dunks.

Junior center Justin Manns showcased his signature rim-grabbing dunk technique three times in the game.

Gaines sank one-handed dunks with 2:40 left in the first half and 12:17 left in the game.

Greene contributed to the Holy Trinity of dunkers with 3:31 left in the game, bringing the Flashes up 59-47.

With a minute left in the game, Sherman decided he wanted to join the dunk club, too, and gave the Flashes a 66-49 lead in the process.

The Flashes were up 33-19 at the half, and the Chippewas (6-16, 3-6 Mid-American Conference) hacked at the Kent State lead with a series of successful free throws.

But Kent State (15-7, 6-2 MAC) held the lead, adding to its four-game winning streak and earning its 500th win in the M.A.C. Center.

Contact Rachel Jones at [email protected].