Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
.png&width=60&height=60&type=webp)
Western Mich
Road Woes Continue For Men's Basketball
1/12/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 12, 2002
KALAMAZOO - Central Michigan was looking for something to help snap a six-game losing streak.
Unfortunately, the team's new shaved-head look didn't help as the Chippewas fell to Western Michigan, 81-67, on Saturday afternoon in Kalamazoo.
A strong second half by the opponent led to a loss for the second straight game. CMU held a 39-38 lead at the half but the Broncos outscored Central 43-28 in the second stanza.
"This is only the second time in my five years that I felt the opponent really beat us with better effort," CMU coach Jay Smith said. "In the first half both teams battled and you know that in a rivalry game no team is going to blow the other out in the first half.
"Western beat us to loose balls and rebounds in the second half."
CMU (3-9, 0-4 MAC) had 21 turnovers is the game while Western (8-7, 2-3 MAC) had 17 offensive rebounds and eight steals.
David Webber got in foul trouble early picking up two player control fouls and then a third eight minutes into the game. Webber sat out the rest of the half and finished the game with 16 points.
Western Michigan freshman Ben Reed scored a game-high 30 points, including two first half three-pointers that got the Broncos into the game.
CMU jumped out to an early eight-point lead on a jumper by Chad Pleiness with 10:21 left in the half. But, a 9-0 run by Western Michigan was capped off by a three-point play by Reed after he made a driving layup.
The Chippewas regained the lead and led by one at the break.
Western started the second half on a 6-0 run as the Chippewas turned the ball over on multiple possessions.
Down by three with 15:43 remaining, WMU went on a 12-4 run to extend the lead to 11 with just over 10 minutes remaining. The Chippewas made just one field goal the in the final five minutes, a layup by Chris Kaman right at the five minute mark.
Central Michigan committed 21 turnovers in its 10th straight road loss.
Kaman finished with his third double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds. Chad Pleiness added eight points and point guard Whitney Robinson hauled in nine rebounds.
WMU's Anthony Kann had 15 points and eight boards before fouling out with 6:44 remaining. He had 11 in the second half while the Broncos made their run.
"It's frustrating when you lose," Smith said. "We're all mature adults and we know we lost a couple close games at the buzzer, but I can't handle it as a coach if there is no effort. Today, there was no effort by our team.
"We have to regroup, get on the same page and go through the fire."
Central Michigan returns home on Wednesday, Jan. 16, to host Marshall and preseason All-MAC selections J.R. VanHoose and Tamar Slay. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
