Central Michigan University
NIU
Chippewa Men Rally, But Fall Short
1/7/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
DeKALB, Ill. - Sometimes, the hole is too deep.
Central Michigan nearly overcame a 17-point deficit on Saturday before bowing to Northern Illinois, 87-83, in a Mid-American Conference men's basketball game at the Huskies' Convocation Center.
The Chippewas slipped to 10-5, 0-2 MAC. NIU is 9-6, 1-1.
CMU trailed, 77-60, with under three minutes remaining then made a mad dash to draw within three, 86-83, on a Braylon Rayson 3-pointer with 5 seconds to play, but the Huskies managed to hold on.
"You never feel good coming off of a loss, but how you're able to respond when nothing seems to be going right … early in the season that could have meant a 20-point loss," CMU coach Keno Davis said. "But I thought our guys brought the energy and the effort needed for a comeback and hey, we're one play short.
"Being on the road, having a chance in the last minute, if you had that every time you play you'd feel pretty good about your team."
Rayson scored 29 points and freshman David DiLeo had a career-high 22 to lead the Chippewas. DiLeo made a career-best five 3-pointers, four of which came in the second half, on 11 attempts.
CMU guard Marcus Keene, who entered the game averaging a nation-best 30.1 points per game, was held to a season-low 14 points.
Marin Maric had 17 points to lead the Huskies, while Laytwan Porter, Jaylen Key and Dontel Highsmith added 16 apiece.
Key grabbed 11 rebounds and Maric had nine as NIU held a 53-42 edge on the glass, including 23-13 on the offensive end. At halftime, the Huskies had 17 offensive rebounds to the Chippewas' one, and led 35-28.
CMU had 12 offensive rebounds in the second half to NIU's six. Cecil Williams led the Chippewas with eight rebounds.
"That shows it's not always about being the biggest player," Davis said. "Sometimes it's about making sure you understand how to play with a high motor and effort."
The Chippewas' rugged early MAC schedule continues next week with home games against Akron (Tuesday) and against Toledo (Friday).
The Zips (12-3, 2-0) were picked to win the MAC East and the league tournament in the preseason poll, while the Rockets (9-6, 2-0) are the lone remaining unbeaten team in the West. Both Akron and Toledo have won five straight games.
"I think we made some good strides in this game," Davis said. "Unfortunately to make those strides, sometimes you have to take losses but I know our guys will be excited about playing two of the top teams in the league at McGuirk Arena.
"When you look at your schedule coming into the season, you know there's going to be stretches that are going to be tough. You also know that in this conference, anybody can beat anybody. We have to continue to get better and have that be our focus, not so much what your record is because if you play down and have an off night you won't have chances like we had tonight at the end."
