CLEVELAND -- J.R. Wallace slung his left arm over the trophy and squeezed it tightly.
After helping end Central Michigan's 16-year championship drought in the Mid-American Conference tournament, Wallace wasn't about to let the shiny hardware out of sight.
Chris Kaman scored 25 points and T.J. Meerman added a career-high 16 as Central Michigan defeated Kent State 77-67 Saturday night to win the MAC title and earn its first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 1987.
"I'm kind of overwhelmed," Kaman said as his teammates celebrated on the court behind him. "It hasn't really sunk in yet. And when it does, it's going to be ridiculous.
"Excuse me, I've got to go cut down part of that net."
Kaman, the MAC player of the year, added 13 rebounds, five assists, four blocks and countless altered shots for Central Michigan (24-6), which blew the game open with a 16-2 run to begin the second half.
The Chippewas, who went 9-19 a year ago, were picked to finish sixth before the season started. But after winning the MAC West title, they added their first tournament crown since Dan Majerle led them in 1987.
Majerle, one of the NBA's best outside shooters, would love this group.
The Chippewas made eight 3-pointers, including three during their decisive second-half spurt, and shot over 50 percent from the floor in the tournament.
And while protecting their double-digit lead in the second half, they went to Kaman, the tourney's MVP, whenever they needed a basket.
"He's a heck of a player," Kent coach Jim Christian said. "We wanted to double-team him and make him catch the ball outside the paint. When he catches it inside, he's so big and skilled that it's hard to do anything to stop him."
Antonio Gates scored 20 points and Anthony Wilkins had 19 for Kent State (21-9), the two-time defending tournament champion. The Golden Flashes had won their past eight games in the MAC Tournament.
Central Michigan came to Gund Arena 0-3 in the tournament but evened its record and left with the trophy, and more importantly, the MAC's automatic berth in the 65-team NCAA Tournament field.
"Gund Arena is good with me," Wallace said.
Chippewas coach Jay Smith also snapped an 0-7 slide against Kent State.
Wallace added 15 points and Mike Manciel 14 for Central Michigan.
Kaman picked up his third personal foul just 18 seconds after halftime, providing a moment of hope for Kent State, which had no answer underneath for the 7-foot junior center. But with their big man in foul trouble, Central Michigan's guards stepped up.
Meerman made a pair of 3-pointers and Wallace hit another long-range jumper to give the Chippewas a 48-33 lead with 16:28 to play.
Wallace's steal led to a layup for Meerman, and Tony Bowne's basket capped Central's 16-2 run that made it 53-33 with just over 15½ minutes left.
"We felt like we could live with their guards shooting," Gates said. "But they stepped up and made some big shots."
Kent State crept within eight points in the final two minutes, but Central Michigan closed it out by making 11 of 12 free throws in the final 1:12.
If Central Michigan shoots in the NCAA tournament like it did in the MAC, the Chippewas could make a deep run -- just as Kent State did by getting to the final eight a year ago.
"I sure hope we can," Wallace said. "We're not going to fear anyone. We're just going to go out there and do our thing."
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