Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Northern Ill
Chippewas Lose at Northern Illinois, 80-70
2/23/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 23, 2002
DeKALB, Ill.-A lightning-quick start in the second proved to be the difference as Central Michigan University dropped an 80-70 Mid-American Conference men's basketball decision to Northern Illinois here Saturday night.
The Chippewas are now 8-16 for the season and 5-11 in MAC play while the Huskies improve to 11-14 and 7-9.
CMU jumped out to a fast startin the first half, claiming a 22-11 lead. However, Northern Illinois battle back to trail, 35-33, at the break. The Huskies exploded from the starting blocks in the final half, outscoring Central Michigan by 10-3 to grab a 43-38 lead.
The never-say-die Chippewas kept it close and managed to draw within four (62-58) points with 6:22 to play. However, three straight three-pointers by Al Sewasciuk put NIU back in control, 73-60.
Sophomore center Chris Kaman, the talented seven-footer, had a double-double for Central, scoring 17 points and snaring 14 rebounds. Junior J.R. Wallace, a 5-10 dynamo, also had an outstanding game. He posted a career-first double-double with 13 points and a career-high 13 rebounds. J.R. also had a game-high five assists.
"Chris and J.R. played awfully well," said CMU head coach Jay Smith. "Everytime they touched the ball something good happened."
Junior Chad Pleiness was the only other Chippewa in twin figures with 10 while leading scorer, senior David Webber, was held to only six points.
CMU held a 38-30 edge in rebounding, thanks to Kaman and Wallace. However, 20 Chippewa turnovers led to 24 Huskie points and that proved to be a major factor.
NIU failed to hit a three-pointer in the first half but iced it with nine treys in the final 20 minutes.
Central Michigan has two more regular-season contests on the docket, playing at Marshall on Wednesday, Feb. 27, and closing the home season on Saturday, March 2, against Ball State at 2 p.m.
