Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Toledo
CMU Moves Into MAC West Lead
1/22/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 22, 2003
MOUNT PLEASANT - The Central Michigan University men's basketball team moved into sole possession of first place in the West Division of the Mid-American Conference with an 83-74 win over the University of Toledo here Wednesday night.
The Chippewa win coupled with Bowling Green's 76-58 loss at Western Michigan put CMU ahead of the Falcons. CMU is now 5-1 in MAC action while BG is second at 5-2.
The victory was the fifth in a row for the Chippewas, raising their record to 12-3 for the season. Toledo falls to 8-8 overall and 2-4 in loop play.
It was a notable night for CMU's 7-0 junior center Chris Kaman who tied the Rose Arena record with eight blocked shots. That school mark is also held by Dan Roundfield who batted away eight shots in 1975 at Bowling Green. The Rose Arena record is also held by Ohio's Patrick Flomo who swatted eight against CMU in 2001.
The game was close throughout with neither team leading by more than seven points until the final margin. The Rockets were up by a 60-53 count with 12:36 to go when the Chippewas began whittling away at the deficit.
CMU captured its first lead of the second half since the 17:44 mark at 69-67 on a three-pointer by T.J. Meerman. The Chippewas never relinquished the advantage, scoring their final 10 points at the foul line.
Senior Mike Manciel scored 11 of CMU's final 14 points, meshing nine-of-10 free throws.
Senior J.R. Wallace led the Chippewas with a career-best-matching 23 points. He also had five steals and four assists.
Manciel added 22 while Kaman had 17 points to go along with his game-high 14 rebounds.
Game-scoring honors went to UT sharpshooter Nick Moore with 24 points.
CMU shot 41.9 percent from the field on 26-of-62 compared to Toledo's 31-of-77 for 40.3 percent. The Rockets did hold a 47-41 edge in rebounds but committed 15 turnovers to 13 for the Chippewas.
CMU returns to action on Saturday night at Eastern Michigan. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
