Central Michigan University Athletics
RedHawks Cool Off Chippewas, 64-51
1/29/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
OXFORD, Ohio -- A tough night offensively against a hungry Miami RedHawks team proved to be too much for the Central Michigan men's basketball team to overcome in a 64-51 loss at Millett Hall in Mid-American Conference crossover play on Thursday.
The Chippewas (9-9, 4-2 MAC) lost for the 12th trip into Oxford, ending a streak of five wins in six games for CMU. The win was Miami’s fifth-straight at home.
Both teams struggled in the opening 20 minutes offensively, but points off turnovers allowed the RedHawks to take a 23-20 lead into the break.
The offenses heated up in the second half, but it was Miami who was able to sustain the heat. The Chippewas shot 44 percent in the final frame after just 29 percent in the opening half, while the RedHawks hit at 55 percent in the second half compared to a 38 percent mark in the opening 20 minutes.
"Miami was the tougher team today," head coach Ernie Zeigler said. "They pride themselves on that, and in the second half our defense let us down a little bit. We need our defense to be that constant that helps carry us through when we have nights where we struggle offensively."
A three by Jordan Bitzer (10 points) gave CMU a 34-33 lead with 13:35 left, but the Chippewas would go four minutes without another field goal, allowing the RedHawks to take a 41-36 lead into the game's final nine minutes.
CMU stayed within eight with 3:47 left, 54-46, but were unable to draw any closer as MU put the game away down the stretch with good free throw shooting. Miami was 15-for-17 from the stripe in the second half, compared to Central Michigan's 3-for-7.
The Chippewas finished at 37 percent from the floor, 33 percent from long range (7-for-21). The RedHawks wrapped up the contest at 47 percent from the field and 31 percent from distance (4-for-13). Miami also attempted twice as many free throws (20-for-25, 80 percent) as Central Michigan did (6-for-12, 50 percent).
MU also held an edge on the glass, 33-27, and Miami reserves outscored Central's, 28-13. Jalin Thomas paced CMU with five boards and Marko Spica added eight points and four rebounds off the bench.
Bitzer was the only Chippewa to crack double-figures in the score column. Robbie Harman added nine, but CMU's dynamic duo had a tough night, combining for a 6-for-23 night, 5-for-16 from long range.
"Miami was very physical all night," Zeigler said. "They put us in a lot of situations where we had to put up contested or forced shots."
The RedHawks were led by senior Kenny Hayes with a game-high 20 points.
With a game at Bowling Green less than two days away, Zeigler knows the Chippewas can't afford to let the effects of the game carry over.
"We play again in less than 48 hours, so we need to let this one go," Zeigler said. "We knew this would be a tough game in a difficult place to play, and there are a lot of things we can learn from today."
CMU faces BGSU on Saturday in Anderson Arena. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
The Chippewas (9-9, 4-2 MAC) lost for the 12th trip into Oxford, ending a streak of five wins in six games for CMU. The win was Miami’s fifth-straight at home.
Both teams struggled in the opening 20 minutes offensively, but points off turnovers allowed the RedHawks to take a 23-20 lead into the break.
The offenses heated up in the second half, but it was Miami who was able to sustain the heat. The Chippewas shot 44 percent in the final frame after just 29 percent in the opening half, while the RedHawks hit at 55 percent in the second half compared to a 38 percent mark in the opening 20 minutes.
"Miami was the tougher team today," head coach Ernie Zeigler said. "They pride themselves on that, and in the second half our defense let us down a little bit. We need our defense to be that constant that helps carry us through when we have nights where we struggle offensively."
A three by Jordan Bitzer (10 points) gave CMU a 34-33 lead with 13:35 left, but the Chippewas would go four minutes without another field goal, allowing the RedHawks to take a 41-36 lead into the game's final nine minutes.
CMU stayed within eight with 3:47 left, 54-46, but were unable to draw any closer as MU put the game away down the stretch with good free throw shooting. Miami was 15-for-17 from the stripe in the second half, compared to Central Michigan's 3-for-7.
The Chippewas finished at 37 percent from the floor, 33 percent from long range (7-for-21). The RedHawks wrapped up the contest at 47 percent from the field and 31 percent from distance (4-for-13). Miami also attempted twice as many free throws (20-for-25, 80 percent) as Central Michigan did (6-for-12, 50 percent).
MU also held an edge on the glass, 33-27, and Miami reserves outscored Central's, 28-13. Jalin Thomas paced CMU with five boards and Marko Spica added eight points and four rebounds off the bench.
Bitzer was the only Chippewa to crack double-figures in the score column. Robbie Harman added nine, but CMU's dynamic duo had a tough night, combining for a 6-for-23 night, 5-for-16 from long range.
"Miami was very physical all night," Zeigler said. "They put us in a lot of situations where we had to put up contested or forced shots."
The RedHawks were led by senior Kenny Hayes with a game-high 20 points.
With a game at Bowling Green less than two days away, Zeigler knows the Chippewas can't afford to let the effects of the game carry over.
"We play again in less than 48 hours, so we need to let this one go," Zeigler said. "We knew this would be a tough game in a difficult place to play, and there are a lot of things we can learn from today."
CMU faces BGSU on Saturday in Anderson Arena. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
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