Men’s basketball beats Toledo 72-55

Rachel Jones

The Kent State men’s basketball team defeated Toledo 72-55 Sunday at the M.A.C. Center.

The Flashes (14-7, 5-2 Mid-American Conference) not only played with strong defense, their offense exploited the Rockets’ defense (4-17, 1-6 MAC).

With two minutes left in the first half, junior forward Justin Greene snuck around the double-team to toss a one-hander into the basket for a 36-22 Kent State lead.

Going into the first half 39-24, the Flashes did not waste any time increasing their lead.

Just as he had done in the first half, junior center Justin Manns scored just fifteen seconds into the half.

Twenty seconds later, junior guard Michael Porrini stole the ball from a Toledo player and quickly passed it off to Greene, who sank the layup for a 43-24 lead.

Greene lead the team with 20 total points.

The steals and rebounds continued for the rest of the second half, ending mostly in Kent State points and Toledo fouls.

Toledo’s Malcolm Griffin fouled out with 7:33 left in the game.

Even with five 3-pointers in the second half, Toledo could not overcome the hole it dug in the first half.

-Rachel Jones