Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Kent State
Chippewa Men Fall to Kent State, 82-78
1/29/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 29, 2003
KENT, Ohio - Central Michigan University dropped its second straight Mid-American Conference men's basketball game here Wednesday night to Kent State University, 82-78.
The Chippewas led by as many as 14 points in the first half (33-19 with 7:35 to play) before the Golden Flashes rallied for their fifth straight victory. Kent State is now 14-2 for the season and 7-1 in MAC East while CMU is 12-5 overall and 5-3 in MAC West play. It was the Chippewas' second straight loss after winning five in a row.
"We played hard from the get-go," said CMU head coach Jay Smith. "We came ready to play, and still had a chance to win it in the final 20 seconds. That's where you want to be."
Kent held a 79-73 lead with 1:23 to play when the Chippewas' Mike Manciel nailed a three-pointer to make it 79-76 with 1:08 to go. CMU's Tony Bowne then meshed two free throws with 35.5 seconds to play to cut the deficit to 79-78.
The Golden Flashes' Antonio Gates made one-of-two free throws with 27 seconds to play, putting his team up by an 80-78 margin. The Chippewas couldn't convert on their trip down the floor, and Eric Haut drained a couple of free throws for Kent with 10.3 seconds to play for the final margin.
Haut led Kent with 22 points followed by Gates with 17 and DeAndre Haynes with 13.
Manciel led CMU with 22 points while Chris Kaman had 20 points and 10 rebounds. Kaman played only eight minutes in the first half because of foul trouble. J.R. Wallace chipped in with 14 points, and Tony Bowne added seven points, nine rebounds, and three assists.
Kent hit 26-of-51 from the field for 51 percent compared to CMU's 30-of-57 for 52.6 percent. The Chippewas did out-rebound the MAC's top rebounding team, 37-29. However, 17 CMU turnovers led to 24 Golden Flash points. Kent had just nine miscues.
The Chippewas return to action at home on Saturday when they tangle with MAC West foe Bowling Green State University. Tipoff in Rose Arena is set for 2 p.m.
