Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Illinois St
CMU Trips Illinois State, 74-69
11/26/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 26, 2002
MOUNT PLEASANT -- Down by four at the half, Central Michigan University rallied in the second half for a 74-69 men's basketball win over Illinois State here Tuesday night in a non-conference clash.
The win upped CMU's record to 2-0 for the season while the visiting Redbirds dropped to 0-2.
Seven-foot junior Chris Kaman powered the Chippewas with 16 points, 13 rebounds, and three blocks while 6-5 senior Mike Manciel added 15 points, meshing 11-of-13 from the free throw line.
ISU was led by Gregg Alexander with 18 followed by Vince Greene with 13 and Andy Strandmark 11.
The Chippewas trailed by as many as eight points on two occasions in the first half, the last coming at 3:49, 31-23. However, CMU rallied to within four at the break, 32-28.
The two teams battled back and forth in the second half before CMU took the lead for good, 49-46,at the 11:48 mark on back-to-back three-pointers by Tony Bowne and Whitney Robinson.
CMU upped its lead to as many as nine points, 59-50, at the 9:03 mark on a three-pointer by freshman Kevin Nelson.
The Redbirds battled back to within three on four occasions but could get no closer. The final time was with 46 seconds to go, 72-69. Kaman then scored on a layup with 36 remaining for the final margin.
CMU held a 28-25 edge in rebounding but committed 19 turnovers to ISU's 18.
The Chippewas hit the road for a game Saturday at DePaul. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. (CST).
