Central Michigan University Athletics
Win Over Dartmouth Gives CMU Fourth-Place Finish
11/27/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Box Score | Photo Gallery | Tournament Web Page
ANCHORAGE - Trey Zeigler's third double-double of the season led four Central Michigan players in double figures as the Chippewas got another balanced effort in their 65-48 victory over Dartmouth in their final game of the Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout.
The Chippewas (4-2) finished the tournament in fourth place and ended a four-game Thanksgiving week road swing with a 3-1 record.
Four different players scored the first four baskets for CMU, which jumped out to an early 12-point lead for the second game in a row. The Chippewas led 8-0 three minutes into the game, had a 16-4 advantage at the 13:48 mark, and were able to stretch their lead to 15, 32-17, at the half.
They never trailed but were forced to fend off a second-half run by the Big Green (2-4) who cut the margin to six with 10 minutes to go. Dartmouth had used a 15-5 run over 5:12 to make it 43-37 with 10:15 left, but the Chippewas responded by holding the Big Green without a field goal for the next 5:05. Dartmouth spent the final 10 minutes shooting 2-for-11 from the field, including a layup in the final minute when the game was out of reach.
"Without question, we have balance," head coach Ernie Zeigler said of having to play several key minutes down the stretch with Trey Zeigler on the bench in foul trouble. "Lots of different guys can come up with big plays for us when the game is on the line. Finis Craddock came in for Trey and gave us great minutes creating several turnovers."
Dartmouth was held to a season-low 30.8 percent from the floor, including 25 percent in the first half, thanks in part to eight steals by the Chippewas and five blocks by Olivier Mbaigoto. The Chippewas out-rebounded the Big Green, 41-35, and had a positive assist-to-turnover ratio, 12-9, for the second consecutive night.
"This was a really good shooting team," Zeigler said of the Dartmouth squad that had hit 44 percent of its field goal attempts in the two previous tournament games. "I was really pleased with the effort we had all around today."
Four CMU starters reached double figures in the scoring column. Joining Zeigler were Derek Jackson who tallied 11 points, two blocks and a steal, and Mbaigoto and Austin McBroom who each scored 10. Mbaigoto grabbed nine boards and McBroom was without a turnover for the third time in the last four games.
"It makes such a tremendous difference having a true point guard," said Zeigler. "Sometimes you look at Austin and forget that he's a freshman because of his ability to create offense and pick spots to make plays himself. He makes us a much better team. This team is just starting to scratch the surface of what it is capable of.
"For this young team to go on the road and take three of four, and for them to respond the way they did after a tough loss (to New Mexico State), we couldn't be more happy. It's been a fun and rewarding trip."
NOTES
• CMU held Dartmouth’s leading scorer R.J. Griffin (13.4 ppg) to just two points on 1-of-10 shooting.
• Trey Zeigler posted his third double-double of the season (fourth career) with 21 points and 10 rebounds. It also marked his third 20-point game of the season and the 14th of his career.
• CMU never trailed in the game. In all four victories this season, the Chippewas have led from start to finish.
• In all six games this season the Chippewas have held the opponent below 40 percent shooting from the floor.
• Olivier Mbaigoto blocked a career-high five shots in the game.
• Trey Zeigler was named to the all-tournament team. In the three games, he averaged team highs of 18.0 points and 7.3 rebounds.
• The 17-point victory was CMU's largest of the season. The Chippewas held the Big Green to just 17 first-half points, the fewest points CMU has allowed in a half this season.
• CMU finished in fourth place and received a gold bowl trophy following the championship game.
• The Chippewas are idle for a week until traveling to Temple on Dec. 3.
