Central Michigan University Athletics
Knights Stop Chippewas, 62-53
11/22/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
HACKENSACK, N.J. -- Four players finished in double-figures but the Central Michigan men's basketball team couldn't overcome a 34-13 disadvantage at the free throw line in a 62-53 loss at Fairleigh Dickinson on Saturday at Stratis Arena.
Robbie Harman led the Chippewas in scoring with 13. CMU also got 12 points from starters Chris Kellermann and Jordan Bitzer and 11 from reserve Marko Spica.
The Knights led at halftime by 12, 35-23. The Chippewas would get as close as five in the second half, 45-40, on a three by Harman at the 7:04 mark, but would get no closer as the Knights lead was back to double-figures by the 4:21 mark.
"FDU shot the ball very well and hurt us in transition," head coach Ernie Zeigler said. "They really came out with a high level of intensity in their home opener."
CMU outrebounded FDU, 40-38, and only committed 12 turnovers, but the Knights made 34 trips to the free throw line and shot 73 percent, while CMU made just 13 trips and shot 46 percent.
Jalin Thomas finished with a team-high eight boards and Harman finished with a game-best six assists.
The Chippewas shot 32 percent from the field compared to 38 percent by the Knights. Central connected on 7-of-23 threes (30 percent) while Fairlegh Dickinson hit on 5-of-12 (42 percent).
The Chippewas (2-2) return to the court on Nov. 24 at Wright State.
"We have some soul searching to do before we head down to Dayton to play the toughest team we've seen this season in Wright State," Zeigler said. "We're a work in progress and we're going to have to continue to get better on both ends of the floor."
