Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Valparaiso
CMU Men Open Home Season with 68-55 Win
11/23/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 23, 2004
MOUNT PLEASANT -- Central Michigan University jumped out to a big lead early in the first half here Tuesday night and made it stick in posting a 68-55 nonconference men's basketball win over Valparaiso.
The Chippewas are now 1-1 for the season while the visiting Crusaders fall to 0-2.
CMU exploded out to a 12-0 lead with 17:01 remaining in the first half and cruised to a 35-18 halftime advantage.
Valparaiso battled back to within five points on two occasions in the second half, the last coming at 47-42 with 9:44 to play.
The Chippewas took control once again and moved the lead out to 16, 68-52, with 42 seconds to play. CMU hit 13-of-14 free throws during that stretch to ice the game.
Junior Kevin Nelson paced the Chippewas with 16 points followed by senior Tony Bowne with 15 and freshman point guard Giordan Watson with 13.
The Crusaders were led by Ron Howard with 12.
CMU hit 19-of-45 from the field for 42.2 percent. However, the Chippewas were just 7-of-21 in the second half after hitting 12-of-24 in the first half.
Valparaiso connected on 18-of-50 from the floor for 36 percent.
CMU was outrebounded, 36-31, but the Chippewas had 14 turnovers to 20 for the Crusaders.
A big difference was at the free throw line where CMU converted 27-of-35 attempts to 16-of-24 for Valparaiso.
Next up for CMU is a home game this Saturday, Nov.27, when Saginaw Valley State comes to Rose Arena for a game at 2 p.m.
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