Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
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Western Mich
Kaman Ignites Chippewa Win
2/10/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 10, 2003
MOUNT PLEASANT - Central Michigan University seven-foot junior Chris Kaman proved too much for Western Michigan University here Monday night as the Chippewas rolled to a 77-58 win in Mid-American Conference men's basketball action.
Kaman scored a career-high 37 points to go along with 14 rebounds and three blocks to power the Chippewas to their third straight win and back into a share of first place in the MAC West with an 8-3 record. CMU is now 15-5 for the season.
WMU drops to 13-7 overall and 5-6 in MAC play.
The Chippewas grabbed a 34-27 lead at the half before pulling away in the final 20 minutes as Kaman netted 27 of his points. WMU's chances of stopping Kaman were hurt when 6-7 junior Anthony Kann was injured and didn't return. It was 38-30 when he left with 17:14 to play.
After Kann left, Kaman scored 23 points including 12 free throws.
CMU captured its largest lead at 75-51 with 2:13 to play, and coasted the rest of the way.
Two other Chippewas netted double digits with Mike Manciel scoring 13 and J.R. Wallace 11. WMU had just one man in twin figures, Robby Collum with 14.
CMU lit it up from the floor, meshing 26-of-45 for 57.8 percent compared to WMU's 39.3 percent on 22-of-56. The Chippewas held a 34-30 edge in rebounds but also had 16 turnovers to 15 for the Broncos.
The Chippewas, tied with Northern Illinois for the MAC West lead, is idle until a Saturday night game at the University of Toledo. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
