Central Michigan University
SIUE
Chippewas Ride 3-Point Barrage to 94-61 win
12/6/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jared Porter, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - The Chippewas were on fire from three, and they were not afraid to let the shots keep flying from the perimeter.
The Central Michigan men's basketball team made a program record 20 three-point shots in its 94-61 win over Southern Illinois Edwardsville Saturday afternoon McGuirk Arena, improving to 6-1.
CMU's 20 threes surpassed its previous school record 16 that was set in 1999 against Detroit. The feat also ties Ohio -- which had 20 three-point conversions against Duquesne in 2004 -- for the Mid-American Conference record.
"It's awfully tough to defend a team that has four or five three-point shooters," CMU coach Keno Davis said. "It's tough to guard when you get so spread out. It leads to more one-on-one situations, and as we all know, the offense usually scores.
"We are a tough team to prepare against because if you guard the three-point line, we have guys like Chris Fowler who can shoot 20 free throws in a game. And if you jump to give help on our penetration, you're going to give us three-point shots that we can knock down."
Eight different Chippewas converted from three in the game, including two 4-for-5 performances from sophomore Braylon Rayson and freshman Josh Kozinski. CMU made 57.1 percent of its three-point attempts.
"I don't think we're at a point in our program where we're able to dictate what we do offensively," Davis said. "Right now, we're going to take what the defense gives us. If they stay out on the three-point shooters, we're going to attack the basket. But if they come in with help defense, I'd rather kick and knock down those shots.
"This early in the season, you don't know exactly what the other team's game plan will be on defense. So we have to be able to adapt to it. But we've seen various game plans and we're starting to get used to this."
The Chippewas out-rebounded SIUE, 38-26, which was a main focus coming into the game after a dismal effort on the boards in their loss to Bradley on Tuesday.
"I challenged our team after the game (against Bradley) with our rebounding," Davis said. "But I didn't need to challenge our team. They were embarrassed, not to lose the game or by their effort, but to get beat in that statistic. So they didn't need me to motivate them today. They were already highly motivated."
Rayson led CMU with 19 points, while Kozinski and freshman Luke Meyer added 12 apiece. Fowler added 10.
The Chippewas notched 21 assists, with junior Rayshawn Simmons leading the way with six. CMU held SIUE to just 10 assists.
Defensively, the Chippewas tallied five blocks in the game with freshman DaRohn Scott contributing four in just seven minutes.
Scott, Davis said, "is one of the young men on our team that is doing this for the first time, and you'll continue to see him develop in all areas. He gives us so much energy off the bench, whether it's his physical presence, blocking shots or rebounding.
"He finishes plays as well as anybody on our team around the basket. I think you're going to see him, as well as some of our other freshman, really make strides this season."
Kris Davis scored 21 points to lead SIUE (1-5). No other Cougar scored more than seven points.
The Chippewas have an 11-day layoff before they take the court against Northwestern (5-2) in Evanston, Ill. on Wednesday, Dec. 17.
The Wildcats face 23rd-ranked Butler Saturday and Mississippi Valley State Sunday, Dec. 14, before their contest with CMU.
