Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Akron
Central Michigan Edges Akron, 78-75
1/31/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 31, 2001
MOUNT PLEASANT--Chris Kaman led Central Michigan with 20 points to help the Chippewas to a 78-75 win over Akron on Wednesday night in Rose Arena.
Kaman scored 18 points in the second half to help CMU take a nine-point lead with 1:21 to play in the game but Akron's hot three-point shooting and some missed free throws by CMU made it a game to the end.
After Kaman hit a layup to give CMU a 73-64 advantage, Akron's Andre Sims nailed a three-pointer to cut the lead to six points. David Webber split a pair of free throws then Akron scored five straight points to make it 74-72 with 28 seconds to go.
Tim Kisner put CMU back up by four with two free throws but a three-pointer by UA's David Falknor shaved the lead down to one (76-75) with 18 seconds to go.
Some uncharacteristic free throw shooting by CMU almost let Akron back into the game. Kisner missed two free throws inside of a minute and Webber and Pleiness both struggled at the line late in the game. CMU shot just 64 percent (16-25) from the line.
Webber and Chad Pleiness each split a pair of free throws in the final seconds to give CMU the final margin of victory.
The Chippewas (14-4, 8-1 MAC), bidding to go from worst to first in the MAC West, stretched their divisional lead over idle Ball State to three full games.
The Chippewas won despite not having the services of Mike Manciel who twisted his ankle in pregame warm-ups and watched the game from the bench.
It was another back and forth game for the Chippewas. Akron held the lead through much of the first half until Webber scored a layup to give CMU a 20-19 advantage with 7:25 to go in the first half.
The teams traded leads before CMU went on a 7-0 run to jump to a 33-27 lead with 2:34 to play. Akron responded with eight unanswered points to take a 35-33 lead into the halftime break.
The beginning of the second half was a carbon copy of the first with neither team leading by more than four points.
There were eight ties and seven lead changes before CMU took its commanding nine-point lead.
Joining Kaman in double figures for the Chippewas were Webber with 19 and Pleiness with 18.
Webber posted his second double-double of the year with his 19 points and game-high 10 rebounds. He also added five assists and three steals.
Pleiness' 18 points marks the ninth time he has scored in twin figures this season.
Akron was led by Sims who had a career-high 18 points. Bruce Weinkein added 16 points, Nate Schindewolf 13 and Falknor 12.
CMU outshot Akron from the field, 60 percent to 53 percent but the Zips outshot the Chippewas from the three-point line, 50 percent to 22 percent.
CMU puts its seven-game winning streak on the line on Saturday when it travels to Northern Illinois.
