Saturday, January 27
Kalamazoo, Mich./Read FieldHouse/University Arena
1 p.m.
Central Michigan University
11-9,6-2MAC
62
at
55
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Western Michigan
8-12,5-3MAC
1
2
F
Central Mich.
29
33
62
Western Mich.
16
39
55
Photo by: Jack Reeber '23,M'25 - @jackreeber.raw
Men's Basketball Wins Third in Row, Sixth in Last Seven, Defeats Western Michigan 62-55
1/27/2024 4:06:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Dominating defense, 23-point, eight-rebound, six-assist performance from Anthony Pritchard, and 15-point day from Markus Harding lead Central Michigan to its 11th victory on the year; Chippewas remain in third place in the Mid-American Conference.
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Anthony Pritchard scored a career-high 23 points, Markus Harding added 15 and the Central Michigan men's basketball team took advantage of an early 11-0 run, then clamped down with dominating defense to claim its sixth victory in seven contests, earning a 62-55 victory at Western Michigan Saturday at Read Fieldhouse/University Arena.
With the victory, Central Michigan won its third straight game, fourth road game of the year, and remains in third place in the Mid-American Conference with a 6-2 league record. Historically, Central Michigan entered the matchup having won just 15 of the last 66 games played against Western Michigan in Kalamazoo. The Chippewas improved to 11-9 overall and 6-2 in the MAC. Western Michigan drops to 8-12 overall and 5-3 in the MAC.
The real story of the game was Central Michigan's defense. The Chippewas held host WMU to an opponent low 16 points in taking a 29-16 halftime lead. For the game, the Broncos were held to just 35.6 percent (21-59) field goal shooting and just 22.6 percent (7-31) 3-point shooting. The Chippewas' pressure defense also forced WMU into 17 turnovers as CMU finished with 10 steals on the day. Western Michigan entered the game averaging 74.5 points per game. It was a phenomenal week for Central Michigan which held both Miami (OH) and Western Michigan to team opponent season lows 55.
"Our defense tonight was ridiculous," Central Michigan Head Coach Tony Barbee said. "We gave them no easy looks. Western Michigan is a really good team. They have been efficient and one of the best offensive teams in the league. For us to do that to that team on their home court says something about where this team is and where our defense is.
"Defense is the separator. When your defense travels, elite defense travels. and when you guard like that. Defense has become our DNA and identity. This team has been embodying everything that has to do with that level. It starts at our point guard position with Anthony Pritchard. You can have the best defensive players on the floor but if the head of the snake doesn't lead the charge defensively, it's not the same. Defense has been what Anthony's built his reputation on. He's been an absolute pit bull on the defensive end for us this year."
Pritchard didn't only the lead Chippewas in scoring as he finished with team-highs of eight rebounds and six assists. He registered his fourth career 20-point game, eighth consecutive double figure scoring game, sixth game with seven or more rebounds, and seventh contest with six or more assists on the year. Harding notched his 21st double figure scoring game of his career and ninth of the season. Derrick Butler added eight points on the offensive end.
"Anthony's not our only leader, but he leads a lot with his play. He's become more and more vocal. I'm proud of him, proud of this team. Proud for Brian Taylor, who has spent three years going through these battles. I'm proud for Markus, who played well but got into some foul trouble tonight. And how about KJ Oduor? Hunter went in and gave us some good minutes, but KJ Oduor came in and fought his tail off. It was great to see."
Central Michigan never trailed after going on an early 11-0 run. Taylor scored on a driving layup, followed by Markus Harding's layup in the paint, Cayden Vasko hit a jumper and Butler followed with a 3-pointer. Pritchard's driving layup on a fast break gave CMU a 13-2 lead at the 13:58 mark.
The Chippewas used stingy defense to notch a 29-16 halftime lead. WMU managed just 22.2 percent (6-27) field goal shooting and 18.2 percent (2-11) 3-point shooting as the Chippewas forced the hosts into nine turnovers. Harding and Pritchard both scored eight points for the Chippewas, who converted 48.3 percent of their first half field goals.
But Western Michigan was not finished. The Broncos used a 7-0 run at the start of the second half to get back into the game. Owen Lobsinger hit a 3-pointer to cut the lead down to five points (34-29) with 15:56 to play. But the Chippewas answered the call every time. Harding hit a jumper in the paint and a 6-0 CMU run pushed the Chippewas' lead back to 16 points (19-3) with 10:07 to play in the first half.
Seth Hubbard led Western Michigan with 16 points and Owen Lobsinger added 10 points and 12 rebounds.
It marked the first of two matchups the two teams will play this year as CMU hosts Western Michigan on February 17 for the Toilet Paper Toss at 7 p.m. Central Michigan returns home when it hosts Northern Illinois on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
"I'm proud of the team," Barbee said. "They've given it up for each other. They are truly happy for each other's success. That locker room was on fire right there because we won. The team won. When you win, everybody looks good. It's about this group of individuals who have come together to sacrifice and thrive, lose themselves, and lose their ego in the team. This is a special group.
"When you defend at this high of a level, when your defense travels, and you can win on the road, those are the teams that have championship DNA. When you can go on the road against good teams in your league, defend like that, and turn off their water like that, and play with the poise and patience, says something about where this team is headed."
With the victory, Central Michigan won its third straight game, fourth road game of the year, and remains in third place in the Mid-American Conference with a 6-2 league record. Historically, Central Michigan entered the matchup having won just 15 of the last 66 games played against Western Michigan in Kalamazoo. The Chippewas improved to 11-9 overall and 6-2 in the MAC. Western Michigan drops to 8-12 overall and 5-3 in the MAC.
The real story of the game was Central Michigan's defense. The Chippewas held host WMU to an opponent low 16 points in taking a 29-16 halftime lead. For the game, the Broncos were held to just 35.6 percent (21-59) field goal shooting and just 22.6 percent (7-31) 3-point shooting. The Chippewas' pressure defense also forced WMU into 17 turnovers as CMU finished with 10 steals on the day. Western Michigan entered the game averaging 74.5 points per game. It was a phenomenal week for Central Michigan which held both Miami (OH) and Western Michigan to team opponent season lows 55.
"Our defense tonight was ridiculous," Central Michigan Head Coach Tony Barbee said. "We gave them no easy looks. Western Michigan is a really good team. They have been efficient and one of the best offensive teams in the league. For us to do that to that team on their home court says something about where this team is and where our defense is.
"Defense is the separator. When your defense travels, elite defense travels. and when you guard like that. Defense has become our DNA and identity. This team has been embodying everything that has to do with that level. It starts at our point guard position with Anthony Pritchard. You can have the best defensive players on the floor but if the head of the snake doesn't lead the charge defensively, it's not the same. Defense has been what Anthony's built his reputation on. He's been an absolute pit bull on the defensive end for us this year."
Pritchard didn't only the lead Chippewas in scoring as he finished with team-highs of eight rebounds and six assists. He registered his fourth career 20-point game, eighth consecutive double figure scoring game, sixth game with seven or more rebounds, and seventh contest with six or more assists on the year. Harding notched his 21st double figure scoring game of his career and ninth of the season. Derrick Butler added eight points on the offensive end.
"Anthony's not our only leader, but he leads a lot with his play. He's become more and more vocal. I'm proud of him, proud of this team. Proud for Brian Taylor, who has spent three years going through these battles. I'm proud for Markus, who played well but got into some foul trouble tonight. And how about KJ Oduor? Hunter went in and gave us some good minutes, but KJ Oduor came in and fought his tail off. It was great to see."
Central Michigan never trailed after going on an early 11-0 run. Taylor scored on a driving layup, followed by Markus Harding's layup in the paint, Cayden Vasko hit a jumper and Butler followed with a 3-pointer. Pritchard's driving layup on a fast break gave CMU a 13-2 lead at the 13:58 mark.
The Chippewas used stingy defense to notch a 29-16 halftime lead. WMU managed just 22.2 percent (6-27) field goal shooting and 18.2 percent (2-11) 3-point shooting as the Chippewas forced the hosts into nine turnovers. Harding and Pritchard both scored eight points for the Chippewas, who converted 48.3 percent of their first half field goals.
But Western Michigan was not finished. The Broncos used a 7-0 run at the start of the second half to get back into the game. Owen Lobsinger hit a 3-pointer to cut the lead down to five points (34-29) with 15:56 to play. But the Chippewas answered the call every time. Harding hit a jumper in the paint and a 6-0 CMU run pushed the Chippewas' lead back to 16 points (19-3) with 10:07 to play in the first half.
Seth Hubbard led Western Michigan with 16 points and Owen Lobsinger added 10 points and 12 rebounds.
It marked the first of two matchups the two teams will play this year as CMU hosts Western Michigan on February 17 for the Toilet Paper Toss at 7 p.m. Central Michigan returns home when it hosts Northern Illinois on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
"I'm proud of the team," Barbee said. "They've given it up for each other. They are truly happy for each other's success. That locker room was on fire right there because we won. The team won. When you win, everybody looks good. It's about this group of individuals who have come together to sacrifice and thrive, lose themselves, and lose their ego in the team. This is a special group.
"When you defend at this high of a level, when your defense travels, and you can win on the road, those are the teams that have championship DNA. When you can go on the road against good teams in your league, defend like that, and turn off their water like that, and play with the poise and patience, says something about where this team is headed."
—CMU—
Team Stats
CMU
WMU
FG%
.421
.356
3FG%
.182
.226
FT%
.857
.500
RB
34
40
TO
12
17
STL
10
6
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
23
FGM
9
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Pts
15
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
4
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
C
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
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