Central Michigan University Athletics
Hounding Defense Paces Chippewas Past Ball State
1/14/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
MOUNT PLEASANT -- A swarming defense by the Central Michigan men's basketball defense hounded the Ball State Cardinals in the Chippewas' 53-38 victory in Mid-American Conference action at Rose Center on Wednesday.
The 38 points scored by BSU is the fewest CMU has allowed to a Division-I opponent since joining college basketball's top level in 1972-73. It's the third fewest the Chippewas have given up to any opponent since 1950 (CMU allowed 34 to Tiffin University in 2007 and 36 to Hillsdale College in 1963).
The Maroon and Gold held Ball State to just 13 percent from the field in the opening half and just 24 percent in the contest. The Cardinals had just four field goals through the game's first 25 minutes. BSU went nine minutes between its first and second field goals in the first half and by then the Chippewas had built a 21-5 lead with seven minutes remaining in the frame. Central led 26-14 at the break.
"It's really great to see our team grow defensively. This group has put together back-to-back swarming defensive efforts and that's something we can built upon and will give us a chance to win when we struggle offensively like we did tonight," head coach Ernie Zeigler said. "You can see the fruits of our labors over the last three-plus years as we continue to get better defensively."
The Chippewas' lead extended to 20 midway through the second half, 38-18, and its largest of the game at 22 with four minutes left, 51-29.
CMU shot 39 percent from the floor and 40 percent from long range (8-for-20). Robbie Harman hit four of those threes to finish with 12 points and Jordan Bitzer made a pair to lift him to 12 points as well. Chris Kellermann finished with a game-high 14, including Central's other two threes.
Jauwan Scaife led BSU with 12 points. No other Cardinal reached double-figures.
Will McClure snared a team-best nine rebounds and Antonio Weary added seven, as the Chippewas boasted a 35-30 advantage on the glass. McClure also added three blocks on the night.
"Will has evolved his game and he's really embraced our culture," Zeigler said. "He plays physical and hard and he's done a nice job as our starting center."
The victory moves CMU back to .500 at least 14 games into a season for the first time since the 2004-05 campaign and pushes the Chippewas (7-7, 2-0 MAC) to a 2-0 start in MAC action for the first time since 1991-92, when the Maroon and Gold started league play at 3-0.
The Chippewas' chance to equal that 1991-92 squad comes Saturday at rival Western Michigan.
"It's definitely something for us to take some pride in, but there's a lot of basketball left," Zeigler said. "We have a chance to play our arch rival for early control of our division. We'll be ready and focused and look to continue our early success. The teams that separate themselves are the teams that win the most road games. It will be a hostile environment and we're looking forward to it."
Tipoff in Kalamazoo is set for 2 p.m.
