Wednesday, December 1
Cincinnati, Ohio
6:30 p.m.
Central Michigan University
1-6,0-0MAC
45
at
78
Xavier
6-1,0-0Big East
1
2
F
Central Mich.
25
20
45
Xavier
41
37
78
CMU Men Fall At Xavier
12/1/2021 8:42:00 PM | Men's Basketball
CINCINNATI, Ohio – Time will tell how much the Central Michigan men's basketball team benefits from a seven-game road trip against tough-as-nails competition to open the season.
For now, first-year Chippewa coach Tony Barbee will look at it in pieces, break it down, and find the positives and the building blocks as his team finally comes home to McGuirk Area for its home opener on Sunday.
Xavier hit 6 of first 7 3-pointers in building a big early lead on Wednesday in handing the Chippewas a 78-45 loss before 9,449 at the Musketeers' Cintas Center.
The Chippewas (1-6) will entertain Western Illinois (5-2) on Sunday (2 p.m.) at McGuirk Arena. The Leathernecks will certainly pose a stiff test as they have posted victories over the likes of Nebraska and Miami (Ohio) this season.
Xavier was the latest in a bevy of big-time programs – Missouri, DePaul, Gonzaga and Kentucky – that the Chippewas have battled over the past three weeks. Those five opponents are now a combined 29-6.
Xavier put the Chippewas in a 23-3 hole to start the game and CMU never got closer than 15 points the rest of the way. The Chippewas trailed, 41-25, at halftime but were outscored 14-4 to open the second half as the Musketeer lead swelled to 26, 55-29.
Oscar Lopez Jr. scored 11 points and Brian Taylor added nine to lead the Chippewas and Ralph Bissainthe had eight rebounds as CMU outrebounded the Musketeers, 36-31, but committed a season-high 21 turnovers and hit just three of its 18 3-point attempts.
For now, first-year Chippewa coach Tony Barbee will look at it in pieces, break it down, and find the positives and the building blocks as his team finally comes home to McGuirk Area for its home opener on Sunday.
Xavier hit 6 of first 7 3-pointers in building a big early lead on Wednesday in handing the Chippewas a 78-45 loss before 9,449 at the Musketeers' Cintas Center.
The Chippewas (1-6) will entertain Western Illinois (5-2) on Sunday (2 p.m.) at McGuirk Arena. The Leathernecks will certainly pose a stiff test as they have posted victories over the likes of Nebraska and Miami (Ohio) this season.
Xavier was the latest in a bevy of big-time programs – Missouri, DePaul, Gonzaga and Kentucky – that the Chippewas have battled over the past three weeks. Those five opponents are now a combined 29-6.
Xavier put the Chippewas in a 23-3 hole to start the game and CMU never got closer than 15 points the rest of the way. The Chippewas trailed, 41-25, at halftime but were outscored 14-4 to open the second half as the Musketeer lead swelled to 26, 55-29.
Oscar Lopez Jr. scored 11 points and Brian Taylor added nine to lead the Chippewas and Ralph Bissainthe had eight rebounds as CMU outrebounded the Musketeers, 36-31, but committed a season-high 21 turnovers and hit just three of its 18 3-point attempts.
Team Stats
CMU
XU
FG%
.314
.509
3FG%
.167
.462
FT%
.625
.522
RB
36
31
TO
21
15
STL
9
9
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Pts
9
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Pts
6
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Pts
6
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
F
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