Central Michigan University
Buffalo
Chippewas Fall at Buffalo
1/31/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
BUFFALO, N.Y. - Central Michigan slugged away and held its own for much of the night.
But on the road in the Mid-American Conference, a little lapse will cost a team big-time.
Buffalo used a 20-5 second-half run on Tuesday in downing Central Michigan, 101-91, in a MAC men's basketball game at the Bulls' Alumni Arena.
The loss ended CMU's win streak at three games. The Chippewas slipped to 14-8, 4-5 MAC. Buffalo snapped a two-game losing streak, improving to 11-1, 4-5.
"We talked about after our three-game win streak that it was great to enjoy it, but we also knew we weren't the team we needed to be," said CMU coach Keno Davis, whose team plays host to rival Western Michigan on Friday (6:30 p.m.) at McGuirk Arena. "To be able to contend in March we have to get better, especially on the road.
"I like our guys' effort, their attitude, and I know they're going to be ready to go on Friday night."
Braylon Rayson scored 25 points and Marcus Keene added 24 for the Chippewas. CMU's dynamic scoring duo, the top-scoring guard combination in college basketball, had to earn every point against a physical Buffalo team. The pair combined to finish 15-for-41 from the floor, including 5-of-13 from 3-point range.
Luke Meyer added a career-high 19 points and Cecil Williams had 11 for the Chippewas, who were within three, 72-69, with 11 minutes to play. That's when Buffalo went on a 20-5 run that left CMU in the dust, down 92-74 with under six minutes remaining.
"I think that's what you worry about on the road, that one run that they're going to make at you," Davis said. "It took the wind out of us."
Rayson led the Chippewas with nine rebounds while Meyer had eight.
Blake Hamilton scored 27 points to lead the Bulls.
The Chippewas now turn their attention to rival Western Michigan, 7-14, 3-6, which snapped a four-game losing streak with a 90-85 win at Ohio on Tuesday. It was just the second home loss of the season for the Bobcats, one of the better teams in the MAC East.
"I can't say enough about the Mount Pleasant community and the CMU fans that have really supported us, helped us get to a point where we're contending for championships and can play with anybody," Davis said. "It wasn't that long ago that we couldn't.
"I'm excited about what the future's going to bring for us, but I'm also excited about what this group can do this year. I really do appreciate all the people that come out and support this team, win or lose, and we're going to try to play hard for them on Friday night."
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