Central Michigan University Athletics
Kent State Hands Chippewas 66-53 Loss
2/6/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Box Score
KENT, Ohio - Jalin Thomas was one of three Central Michigan players to score in double figures, but the Chippewas suffered a 66-53 loss at Kent State Saturday.
The Chippewas (6-16, 3-6 MAC) struck first but didn't strike again for another four minutes as the Golden Flashes (15-7, 6-2 MAC) jumped out to a 12-2 lead by the 15:14 mark. After a jumper by Thomas cut the deficit to six, 12-6, with 12:51 remaining, Kent rattled off the next 11 points to pull out to a 17-point lead with just under five minutes left in the half.
CMU went 7-of-28 (.286) from the floor in the first half and went to the line only eight times (4-of-8) while Kent State shot 10-of-35 (.286) from the floor and 11-of-18 from the charity stripe.
After leading, 33-19, at the break, the Golden Flashes stretched their lead to 20 points, 42-22, at the 15:20 mark to earn their largest advantage of the night. The Chippewas challenged with just under eight minutes remaining, using an 11-2 run that lasted 3:37 to come within 10, 57-47. Still holding on to a 10-point deficit at the 2:22 mark, the Chippewas saw their comeback attempt slip away as Kent scored seven straight to go up 17 and put the game out of reach with a minute left.
Turnovers plagued the Chippewas, who gave the ball away 17 times, including 14 in the first half, providing for a 12-2 Kent State advantage in fast-break points.
Thomas finished with a team-best 15 points while Andre Coimbra added 14 off the bench and Trey Zeigler scored 12 to go along with his game-high eight rebounds and five assists. William McClure also chipped in eight boards.
