CMU Men Fall at Valparaiso, 65-51

Monday, December 23

Valparaiso, Ind.

7 p.m. CST

Central Michigan University

Valparaiso

12/23/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Dec. 23, 2002

Box Score

VALPARAISO, Ind. - Plagued by woeful shooting from the field, the Central Michigan University men's basketball team lost a non-conference game here Monday to the Valparaiso University, 65-51.

The Chippewas fall to 6-2 while the host Crusaders are now 5-4.

CMU shot a season-low 25 percent from the field, hitting 14-of-56, compared to 43.1 percent for Valpo on 22-of-51. The Chippewas were two-of-16 from behind the three-point line for 12.5 percent. The 51 points was also a season low.

"When you shoot just 25 percent, it's fortunate that we were in the game as long as we were," said head coach Jay Smith. "We have to make the open shot, and we had a lot of wide open opportunities. Hitting those shots on the road is something we have to learn to do." p>

The Chippewas trailed by only three, 27-24, at the half despite shooting 24.1 percent, and were down by just six with 3:40 to play.

However, CMU continued missing from the field, and could battle no closer.

CMU led by a 23-18 margin in the first half with 7:10 to play before the Crusaders rallied for the halftime lead.

Junior Chris Kaman was the lone Chippewa in twin figures, bagging 22 points to go along with a game-high 11 rebounds. It was his seventh double-double of the season.

Senior Mike Manciel was next for the visiting Chippewas with nine.

Raitis Graff, a 6-11 senior, led the home team with 21 points and six rebounds while Ali Berdiel added 12. Valpo held a 41-39 edge in rebounding in capturing its 16th straight home win.

CMU's chances were hindered by 18 turnovers.

The Chippewas are idle for a week before returning home on Monday, December 30, to meet Spring Arbor College in the second end of a doubleheader beginning at 7:30 p.m. The CMU women play Canisius at 5:30 p.m.