Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewas Burned By Flames, 65-52
11/28/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
MOUNT PLEASANT Illinois-Chicago used a combination of hot shooting and a sizable advantage on the boards to post a 65-52 win over Central Michigan University on Wednesday night in Rose Arena.
The Flames (3-3) shot 53 percent from the floor and outrebounded CMU 39-22 en route to the 13-point win.
The game was CMU’s home opener as the Chippewas (0-5) played their first four on the road.
UIC, which never trailed, broke a 13-13 tie with a 14-2 run that was capped by a Josh Mayo three-pointer. The Flames led 33-22 at the half thanks to 58 percent shooting in the frame.
The Chippewas found themselves down 49-32 with 10:30 left, but CMU rattled off a 14-0 run to cut the lead down to three as Giordan Watson scored seven points over the stretch.
UIC stopped the run with a second-chance basket by Jermaine Dailey and Tori Boyd followed with a big three-pointer to push the cushion back up to eight.
After Watson hit a jumper with 1:15 left to make it a six-point game, Illinois-Chicago went 7-for-8 from the line down the stretch as the Flames closed the game on a 7-0 run.
Watson came off the bench to score a team-high 15 points and Marko Spica added 12 points and a team-high tying five rebounds.
Scott VanderMeer led the Flames with a game-highs double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds. Mayo tallied 13 points and Dailey 10 in the winning effort.
Nate Minnoy had eight points and five boards for the Chippewas and Chris Kellermann had eight points, including a pair of three-pointers.
The Chippewas now head to the University of Detroit Mercy on Saturday, Dec. 1, to take on the Titans. Tipoff in Calihan Hall is set for 4 p.m.
Chippewa fans who have a ticket stub from the MAC Championship Football Game will receive half off an upper level reserved ticket to the basketball game for a $6 savings. The offer is good only at the gate on Saturday.
Free live video of the game will also be available on the Horizon League Network’s Web site.
NOTES:
Sophomore Robbie Harman made second start of his career against UIC. He logged a team-high 32 minutes, which were also a career high.
Giordan Watson came off the bench for just the third time in his career. He tallied a team-high 15 points in 27 minutes. Watson also dished out a team-high four assists but the MAC’s steal leader did not swipe one on Wednesday.
CMU turned the ball over a season-low eight times. The amount was half its previous season low of 16 (Niagara).
Nate Minnoy has recorded at least five rebounds in four of CMU’s five games.
CMU used its fifth different starting lineup of the season.
A Chippewa reserve has scored in double figures in every game this year.
The Chippewas’ .356 field goal percentage was a season low and it marked the first time this season CMU shot below 40 percent.
After winning the battle of the boards in each of the first three games, CMU has been outrebounded by double digits in each of the last two contests.
CMU shot just nine free throws in the game. The Chippewas shot less than 10 free throws just once last season eight at Kent State.
The Flames (3-3) shot 53 percent from the floor and outrebounded CMU 39-22 en route to the 13-point win.
The game was CMU’s home opener as the Chippewas (0-5) played their first four on the road.
UIC, which never trailed, broke a 13-13 tie with a 14-2 run that was capped by a Josh Mayo three-pointer. The Flames led 33-22 at the half thanks to 58 percent shooting in the frame.
The Chippewas found themselves down 49-32 with 10:30 left, but CMU rattled off a 14-0 run to cut the lead down to three as Giordan Watson scored seven points over the stretch.
UIC stopped the run with a second-chance basket by Jermaine Dailey and Tori Boyd followed with a big three-pointer to push the cushion back up to eight.
After Watson hit a jumper with 1:15 left to make it a six-point game, Illinois-Chicago went 7-for-8 from the line down the stretch as the Flames closed the game on a 7-0 run.
Watson came off the bench to score a team-high 15 points and Marko Spica added 12 points and a team-high tying five rebounds.
Scott VanderMeer led the Flames with a game-highs double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds. Mayo tallied 13 points and Dailey 10 in the winning effort.
Nate Minnoy had eight points and five boards for the Chippewas and Chris Kellermann had eight points, including a pair of three-pointers.
The Chippewas now head to the University of Detroit Mercy on Saturday, Dec. 1, to take on the Titans. Tipoff in Calihan Hall is set for 4 p.m.
Chippewa fans who have a ticket stub from the MAC Championship Football Game will receive half off an upper level reserved ticket to the basketball game for a $6 savings. The offer is good only at the gate on Saturday.
Free live video of the game will also be available on the Horizon League Network’s Web site.
NOTES:
Sophomore Robbie Harman made second start of his career against UIC. He logged a team-high 32 minutes, which were also a career high.
Giordan Watson came off the bench for just the third time in his career. He tallied a team-high 15 points in 27 minutes. Watson also dished out a team-high four assists but the MAC’s steal leader did not swipe one on Wednesday.
CMU turned the ball over a season-low eight times. The amount was half its previous season low of 16 (Niagara).
Nate Minnoy has recorded at least five rebounds in four of CMU’s five games.
CMU used its fifth different starting lineup of the season.
A Chippewa reserve has scored in double figures in every game this year.
The Chippewas’ .356 field goal percentage was a season low and it marked the first time this season CMU shot below 40 percent.
After winning the battle of the boards in each of the first three games, CMU has been outrebounded by double digits in each of the last two contests.
CMU shot just nine free throws in the game. The Chippewas shot less than 10 free throws just once last season eight at Kent State.
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