Central Michigan University
17-13, 6-11MAC
Ball State
19-11, 10-7MAC
CMU Men Run Past Ball State
2/27/2018 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - Keno Davis frequently talks about the parity and balance in the Mid-American Conference men's basketball race.
Davis' Chippewas showed on Tuesday night that they can be right in the mix when the league tournament begins next week.
Kevin McKay scored 23 points as CMU downed Ball State, 75-51, at McGuirk Arena.
The win over Ball State, one of the MAC's top teams, snapped a three-game losing streak and lifted the Chippewas to 17-13, 6-11 MAC. It was the second straight loss for the Cardinals (19-11, 10-7), who came in in second place in the MAC West.
"We don't take this win lightly," Davis said. "Ball State is one of those teams that was predicted to win this conference; a lot of people are talking about them in the postseason in our conference tournament being a pick along with Toledo and Buffalo. You saw them go to Toledo, you saw them go to Notre Dame, and win games. They're a very talented team."
THE LEADERS
Cecil Williams finished with 18 points for the Chippewas, David DiLeo had 12, and Luke Meyer added 10. McKay led the Chippewas with seven rebounds and Williams dished out five assists and made four steals. Sophomore guard Matty Smith also had five assists, a career high.
Tahjai Teague scored 10 points to lead Ball State. He was the only Cardinal in double figures.
KEY STATS
The Chippewas forced 16 turnovers and scored 21 points off of turnovers. CMU turned the ball over just six times, tying its season low.
The Chippewas made 12 3-pointers, their highest total in eight games. They finished at 43 percent from long range, while holding the Cardinals to 5 of 20 from beyond the arc.
CMU also made 13 of its 15 free throw attempts.
HOW IT HAPPENED
CMU led for more than 38 minutes of the game. The Chippewas were up, 33-30, at halftime, and then outscored the Cardinals, 42-21, in the second half.
The Chippewas started the second half with a 10-1 run, increasing their lead to 12, 43-31, just 3 ½ minutes in to the second half. Ball State was within nine, 45-36, when CMU crept away with a 15-6 surge to up the advantage to 20, 61-41, with under eight minutes to play.
RESTED AND READY
Davis said he gave the Chippewas a couple of days off after their 89-76 loss last Friday at Toledo. The move paid off as CMU played with high energy throughout.
"I thought the energy that we brought for all 40 minutes was pretty much as good as it's been in a while," Davis said. "I felt that at Toledo, in the second half, we hit a wall and were tired out there. Wasn't sure (a break) was the right coaching move, but I think tonight looking back at it, we looked fresh and that's going to be important for us. It was important tonight, it's going to be important on Friday (against Western Michigan), and it's going to be important going forward."
A good start helped. Ball State scored the game's first basket and led 7-6 less than two minutes in. A DiLeo 3-pointer, his first of four on the night, put CMU up 9-7. Ball State never led after that.
"When you're hitting shots and threes are falling, that kind of helps you get into things more," McKay said.
DEFENSE
The 51 points scored by Ball State was its second-lowest point total this season. It was also the second-lowest total for a CMU opponent this year. Ball State entered the game averaging 74 points per game.
"That's one heck of a ball club at Ball State," DiLeo said. "Holding them to 51 points that's a huge accomplishment."
LOOKING AHEAD
The Chippewas play host to rival Western Michigan on Friday (7 p.m.) and then will play a first-round MAC Tournament game on Monday, March 2. The site and the opponent of that game won't be determined until after Friday's game with Western.
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