Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Ball St
Brigitha Stars in Chippewa Setback
1/14/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jan. 14, 2004
MUNCIE, Indiana - Despite another outstanding performance by 6-8 senior center Gerrit Brigitha, the Central Michigan University men's basketball team dropped its fourth straight decision here Wednesday night to Ball State University, 90-75.
Brigitha poured in a career-high 31 points but no other Chippewa found double figures in scoring as CMU fell to 3-11 for the season and 0-4 in MAC action. The host Cardinals have won three straight to even their record at 6-6 and go to 3-1 in conference play.
The road doesn't get any easier for the Chippewas as they play at Bowling Green on Sunday, Jan. 18, at 2 p.m. CMU then returns home on Wednesday, Jan. 21, against the RedHawks of Miami University at 7 p.m.
Brigitha has been on a terror in his last five games, scoring 29-26-29-24 in his previous four contests. He drilled a career-high 11 free throws in 13 attempts and scored 20 of CMU's 44 second half points. Gerrit was 10-of-20 from the floor.
The Cardinals held a 34-31 lead at the half but caught fire in the final 20 minutes and rolled to a 20-point lead at 88-68 with 1:04 remaining. BSU hit on 67.7 percent of its shots from the floor in the second half including five-of-six three-pointers.
CMU finished the game making 25-of-61 shots from the field for 41.0 percent compared to the Cardinals 33-of-59 for 55.9 percent.
Ball State also held the upper hand in rebounding with a 38-30 margin. Game-high honors went to CMU's Marcus Moore, however, with a career-high 11. The Cardinals were led by Robert Owens with 10.
Owens also led Ball State in scoring with 27 points followed by Matt McCollum with 21.
Three Chippewas posted nine points apiece in David Hoskins, Brandon Voorhees and Joe Carr, who hit three three-pointers late in the game.
Tony Bowne had five assists for CMU without a turnover.
