Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Ohio
J.R. Wallace Shoots Down Bobcats
1/11/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 11, 2003
MOUNT PLEASANT - Senior J.R. Wallace hit a shot from past midcourt as time ran out to give Central Michigan University an 87-84 Mid-American Conference men's basketball win over Ohio University here Saturday afternoon.
The Chippewas are now 9-3 for the season and 2-1 in MAC play while the Bobcats fall to 4-7 overall and 1-2 in conference play.
Ohio had just tied the game with two seconds to go on a jumper by Steve Esterkamp when Wallace banked in the 50-footer.
"Any win is a good win," coach Jay Smith said. "But, we weren't a good basketball team today. We had to rely on a big shot at the end to be lucky. We didn't take care of the ball and we played poor defensively. I'm not pleased with the mental errors." CMU had led much of the second half only to have Ohio rally from five down with 33 seconds to go to set up Wallace's heroics. The Bobcats' last lead came at the 16:52 remaining, 53-52.
"It's no surprise that J.R. made that shot," Smith said. "He makes shots that make your eyeballs spin into the back of your head. I don't think you call a timeout in that situation, I think you play and don't let their defense get set up." The two teams were also tied at 58-58 with 12:27 to go before the Chippewas moved into their biggest lead of the second half at 76-70 with 5:35 left.
CMU had four players in twin figures, led by 7-0 junior Chris Kaman with 22 points and eight rebounds. Senior Mike Manciel and Wallace chipped in with 19 followed by senior Whitney Robinson with 16.
Ohio also had four players in double digits, Jaivon Harris and Brandon Hunter with 20 each, Esterkamp 16 and Sonny Johnson 12.
In a showdown between two of the nation's premier rebounders, Kaman (averaging 11.6) snared eight while the 6-7 Hunter (14.3) was held to a season-low five. CMU won the battle of the boards, 24-19.
Both teams shot well from the field. OU hit 32-of-52 for 61.5 percent compared to the Chippewas' 28-of-48 for 58.3 percent.
The intense contest was not an artistic success from a turnover standpoint as CMU had 25 miscues to Ohio's 23. It was the fifth time this season the Chippewas have committed 20 or more turnovers and still won.
It's back on the road for CMU which opened with a pair away from Rose Arena. The Chippewas are at Marshall on Tuesday before a home game next Saturday against the University at Buffalo at 2 p.m.
