Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Eastern Mich
Men's Basketball Bounces Eastern Michigan
1/20/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 20, 2001
YPSILANTI--Central Michigan is all alone in first place in the Mid-American Conference West Division after posting a 60-51 win over Eastern Michigan on Saturday night at the Convocation Center.
Helping the Chippewas to the lofty position were the Northern Illinois Huskies who beat Toledo, 69-67. With the win CMU improves to 11-4 overall and 5-1 in the MAC while Eastern Michigan falls to 2-13 overall and 0-6 in the conference. CMU's 11-4 mark is the Chippewas' best 15-game record since the 1975-75.
The win not only snaps CMU's 15-game losing streak to Eastern Michigan but it also marks the most wins by the Chippewas since the 1991-92 team went 12-16.
The Chippewas were in control of the game much of the second half until the Eagles went on an 8-0 run after the EMU bench was tagged with a technical foul to cut the CMU lead to 43-42 with 6:11 to go in the game.
The Chippewas answered with six straight points to make it 49-42 at the 4:33 mark.
CMU hit five free throws down the stretch to help seal the victory.
The Eagles had held a 10-9 lead in the early stages of the first half before the Chippewas went on a 7-0 run to claim a 16-10 lead. CMU would increase its lead to as many as 10 points before going into the halftime break with a 18-21 advantage.
CMU outshot EMU, 56 percent (20-36) to 40 percent (19-48) while the Eagles won the battle of the boards, 27-23.
Chad Pleiness led the Chippewas with a game-high 19 points. He shot 6-of-9 from the floor and 7-of-8 from the charity stripe.
David Webber added 15 points. He shot 7-of-8 from the floor and 1-of-1 from the three-point line.
Eastern Michigan was led by Mosi Barnes with 17 points and Melvin Hicks with 15.
After winning four games in eight days, the Chippewas get a few days of rest before battling Toledo on Jan. 24 at Savage Hall. CMU is looking to snap a 16-game losing streak against the Rockets.
