Central Michigan University Athletics
Another Tight One in Honolulu
11/14/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
HONOLULU, Hawaii – Just 24 hours after a tough back-and-forth contest that was won on a buzzer-beating three-pointer, Central Michigan forced overtime against Montana State before falling 65-58 in the second round of the Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic.
A three-pointer by Trey Zeigler tied the game at 56 with :46 seconds left in regulation of a contest that included 14 lead changes and seven tie scores. After a missed jumper by the Bobcats (1-1), the Chippewas (1-1) regained possession and called a timeout with 15 seconds on the clock to set up their final play. Zeigler took a rushed three-point attempt at the buzzer that just caromed off the rim.
"We wanted to spread the floor and give Trey an opportunity to drive the lane but they did a good job of tipping the ball to the backcourt which took away the opportunity for Trey to drive and possibly find an open guy," said head coach Ernie Zeigler. "When they tipped that ball back it put us into a scramble situation and we didn't get the shot we wanted."
In the extra period it was all Montana State, outscoring CMU, 11-2, and knocking in the game's last six points at the free throw line.
Neither team led by more than five in the first half as a three-pointer by Zeigler with five seconds on the clock gave the Chippewas a 26-24 halftime lead. But the Bobcats came right back with a three-pointer of their own on the first possession of the second half to regain the lead. CMU held its last lead of the game at the 13:42 mark, 40-38, when the Bobcats went on an 11-0 run to record their largest lead of the game, 49-40, with 9:09 remaining.
"We struggled attacking the zone down the stretch," said Coach Zeigler, "and didn't do a good job controlling the things we needed to control. Near the end of the game we had a chance and were unable to get another last-second shot to go in."
Zeigler's 21 points paced all players, and Jalin Thomas joined him in the double-figure scoring column with 15 points. The Chippewas received 16 points off the bench compared to the Bobcats' two.
"In this type of a tournament format we are looking at different lineups and combinations and we were able to get every scholarship guy out there tonight," said Coach Zeigler.
After back-to-back games, Central will have the day off Sunday. Their itinerary includes practice and visits to Hickam Air Force Base and Pearl Harbor.
They face host Hawaii Monday night at 11 p.m. local time (Tuesday 4 a.m., EST) live on ESPN.
