Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Eastern Mich
Strong Second Half Pushes Chippewas Past Eastern Michigan, 106-89
3/1/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 1, 2003
MOUNT PLEASANT - Central Michigan University had every motivation to defeat Eastern Michigan on Saturday and the Chippewas did so convincingly with a 106-89 victory.
The victory, along with Miami's three-point loss at Bowling Green earlier in the afternoon, gives CMU sole possession of the MAC lead at 12-4 (19-6 overall). The Chippewas can clinch at least a share of the MAC title on Wednesday when they host Northern Illinois at 7 p.m. EMU falls to 13-12, 7-9 in league play.
CMU had three major motivating factors heading into the game: 1) the fact that the Chippewas were coming off their first home loss of the season to Akron on Tuesday; 2) the fact that CMU was honoring three seniors playing in one of their last home games; and 3) the fact that the Eagles handed CMU their worst MAC loss of the season back on January 25, 84-68.
Despite a closely contested first half that ended in a 45-45 tie, CMU broke the game open in the second with great defense and 80 percent shooting from the floor. The Chippewas went 20-for-25 from the field in the second half, including draining 14 of their first 15 attempts.
With Chris Kaman posting his customary 29 points, 13 rebounds, and six blocked shots, the floor opened up for CMU's perimeter players to knock down open jumpers.
Senior Mike Manciel had 25 points on 8-for-11 shooting and fellow senior J.R. Wallace chipped in 17 points, including back-to-back three-pointers during a 15-2 run to start the second half.
Senior Whitney Robinson came through on "Senior Day" as well with 11 points off the bench, including three treys.
Eastern Michigan was led by Ryan Prillman's 21 points and six boards. Four other Eagles hit double figures in the high-scoring affair, including Michael Ross with 18, Danny McElhinny 11, and Markus Austin and JaQuan Hart 10 each.
CMU shot 56.7 percent from the floor, 46.7 percent from three-point range, and 81.6 percent from the line while outrebounding EMU 37-32.
A pair of Manciel free throws with 6:54 left pushed the Chippewas lead to 22, its largest of the game.
The contest featured 47 personal fouls and each team attempted 38 free throws. The Chippewas close the regular season next week with a home game against NIU on Wednesday and a road contest at Ball State on Saturday.
