Central Michigan University Athletics
Central Michigan University
Michigan
Hot-Shooting Wolverines Down Chippewas, 87-60
11/18/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 18, 2005
ANN ARBOR - Michigan shot 60 percent from the floor and went on a key 17-3 run midway through the first half in an 87-60 victory over Central Michigan University on Friday night in Crisler Arena.
It was the season opener for both teams.
The Wolverines' post players dominated in the paint at a high efficiency, going 18-for-22 for a combined 44 points by starters Lester Abram, Courtney Sims, and Graham Brown.
Three Chippewa starters were in double figures with sophomore point guard Giordan Watson leading the way with 15, including a pair of three-pointers.
"In the first half, our defense was suspect and it was a case of deer in headlights," coach Jay Smith said. "My biggest worry was that we'd come out and turn it over right away and dig ourselves in a hole, and that's kind of what we did."
The game was tied at 11 seven minutes in, but then Michigan made its run outscoring CMU by 14 points over a 6:12 stretch.
Michigan led 44-26 at the half, but CMU's defense held on eight straight possessions early in the second frame and chipped the lead down to 11 as Watson scored nine of CMU's first 12 points of the half.
That's as close as the Chippewas would get, though, as Michigan shot 58 percent from the floor in the second half after hitting at a 64 percent clip in the first.
"We were able to get our motion offense going in the second," Smith said. "Michigan also shot 18 free throws in the first half because we didn't body them, we played too much with our hands.
"We're learning, but we also want to win. It's a process to win when you've got a young team."
The Chippewas finished with 16 turnovers while shooting 41 percent. CMU coughed it up just six times in the second half after giving it up 10 times in the first. The Maroon and Gold did have fewer turnovers as they forced 19 Wolverine miscues.
Freshman Chris Kellerman had 13 points, four rebounds, and four assists in his first game for CMU and Eddie Spencer added 12 points and three boards.
Sims had a game-high 20 points on 9-of-10 shooting to lead Michigan. Brown posted 11 boards and Abram notched 19 points.
Michigan held a sizeable 37-21 advantage on the glass and the Wolverines went to the line 27 times compared to the Chippewas' 11.
CMU opens the home season on Monday night when they host the Wisconsin-Green Bay Phoenix. Tipoff in Rose Arena is set for 7 p.m., and the game will air on Comcast Local throughout Michigan. Next up for Michigan is a Tuesday road date at Boston University.
