Thursday, November 15
Bimini, Bahamas
6:00 p.m. ET
Central Michigan University
67
vs
55
CSU Bakersfield
1
2
F
CSU-Bakersfield
20
35
55
Central Michigan
31
36
67
Photo by: Allissa Rusco
Chippewas Open Junkanoo Jam with 67-55 Win
11/15/2018 9:15:00 PM | Men's Basketball
CMU finished with four players in double figures en route to staking a 3-0 start to the 2018-19 season
BIMINI, Bahamas - Central Michigan opened the 2018 Junkanoo Jam on Thursday night in successful fashion, knocking off Cal State Bakersfield, 67-55.
The Chippewas finished with four players in double figures en route to staking a 3-0 start to the 2018-19 season. CSU Bakersfield falls to 1-2.
The meeting marked the second consecutive season CMU defeated Bakersfield in an early-season tournament, as the Chippewas downed the Roadrunners, 75-72, to claim the 2017 Great Alaska Shootout crown.
"We've got some guys that can score, guys that can shoot, but now we have some guys that can defend, and hopefully, as we saw tonight, some guys that can rebound too," said coach Keno Davis. "I think we have more of a complete team, but we still have a long way to go."
Senior Shawn Roundtree Jr. lead CMU with 16 points, senior Larry Austin Jr. contributed 14 points with eight rebounds and four assists. Junior Kevin McKay finished with 13 points and eight rebounds, while David DiLeo contributed 15 points and a team-high nine rebounds.
CSU Bakersfield's Damiyne Durham lead the Roadrunners with 16 points, shooting 50 percent from three. Greg Lee led the team with nine rebounds to go along with 12 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
CMU opened the first half on an 11-2 run lead by Roundtree Jr.'s five points. The Roadrunners would cut the lead to three points, but the Chippewa defense held CSU Bakersfield scoreless for a 6:09 stretch, part of a 12-1 Chippewa run.
CMU never trailed in the first half, limiting the Roadrunners to 24 percent shooting and holding a 26-17 rebounding advantage. Roundtree Jr. and Kevin McKay combined for 19 of CMU's 31 first half points.
The Roadrunners opened the second half on an 11-3 run, forcing a CMU timeout. The Chippewas would extend their lead to eight points, but a 12-0 Roadrunner run forced CMU to play from behind for first time in the game.
CMU would tie the game off a David DiLeo three, setting up a tight, see-saw finish until DiLeo hit back-to-back shots from beyond the arc to extend CMU's lead back to eight points with 1:30 left. Montgomery and McKay scored CMU's final five points in crunch time to seal CMU's third win of the season.
DILEO'S DAGGERS
Twelve of DiLeo's 13 points came in the second half, with his final six points coming in crunch time.
"He's clutch, he has a lot of confidence and he's a great shooter," Davis said. "We got some plays to get him open that quite frankly I don't want to use early in the game."
DEFENSE SHINES
The Chippewas held the Roadrunners to 11-of-57 from the field, 28 percent from three and forced 19 turnovers.
"We play extremely hard," Davis said. "Even though our bench didn't show scoring we can go deeper, and we have guys that can bring some energy."
"Because we play hard, we're forcing turnovers, and even though it's only three games (into the season), we're one of the best teams so far at defending the three point line."
NEXT
The Chippewas will play the winner of San Jose State and Weber State at 8:30 p.m. Friday.
The Chippewas finished with four players in double figures en route to staking a 3-0 start to the 2018-19 season. CSU Bakersfield falls to 1-2.
The meeting marked the second consecutive season CMU defeated Bakersfield in an early-season tournament, as the Chippewas downed the Roadrunners, 75-72, to claim the 2017 Great Alaska Shootout crown.
"We've got some guys that can score, guys that can shoot, but now we have some guys that can defend, and hopefully, as we saw tonight, some guys that can rebound too," said coach Keno Davis. "I think we have more of a complete team, but we still have a long way to go."
Senior Shawn Roundtree Jr. lead CMU with 16 points, senior Larry Austin Jr. contributed 14 points with eight rebounds and four assists. Junior Kevin McKay finished with 13 points and eight rebounds, while David DiLeo contributed 15 points and a team-high nine rebounds.
CSU Bakersfield's Damiyne Durham lead the Roadrunners with 16 points, shooting 50 percent from three. Greg Lee led the team with nine rebounds to go along with 12 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
CMU opened the first half on an 11-2 run lead by Roundtree Jr.'s five points. The Roadrunners would cut the lead to three points, but the Chippewa defense held CSU Bakersfield scoreless for a 6:09 stretch, part of a 12-1 Chippewa run.
CMU never trailed in the first half, limiting the Roadrunners to 24 percent shooting and holding a 26-17 rebounding advantage. Roundtree Jr. and Kevin McKay combined for 19 of CMU's 31 first half points.
The Roadrunners opened the second half on an 11-3 run, forcing a CMU timeout. The Chippewas would extend their lead to eight points, but a 12-0 Roadrunner run forced CMU to play from behind for first time in the game.
CMU would tie the game off a David DiLeo three, setting up a tight, see-saw finish until DiLeo hit back-to-back shots from beyond the arc to extend CMU's lead back to eight points with 1:30 left. Montgomery and McKay scored CMU's final five points in crunch time to seal CMU's third win of the season.
DILEO'S DAGGERS
Twelve of DiLeo's 13 points came in the second half, with his final six points coming in crunch time.
"He's clutch, he has a lot of confidence and he's a great shooter," Davis said. "We got some plays to get him open that quite frankly I don't want to use early in the game."
DEFENSE SHINES
The Chippewas held the Roadrunners to 11-of-57 from the field, 28 percent from three and forced 19 turnovers.
"We play extremely hard," Davis said. "Even though our bench didn't show scoring we can go deeper, and we have guys that can bring some energy."
"Because we play hard, we're forcing turnovers, and even though it's only three games (into the season), we're one of the best teams so far at defending the three point line."
NEXT
The Chippewas will play the winner of San Jose State and Weber State at 8:30 p.m. Friday.
Team Stats
CSUB
CMU
FG%
.298
.393
3FG%
.280
.261
FT%
.583
.567
RB
35
48
TO
19
16
STL
4
7
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
16
FGM
6
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
15
FGM
5
3FGM
4
FTM
1
Pts
14
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
13
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
7
Players Mentioned
Guard
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