Men's Basketball Downs Saginaw Valley State 99-62 in Exhibition Game

Sunday, October 18

Mount Pleasant, Mich.

3 p.m.

Central Michigan University

Saginaw Valley State (Exh.)

Photo by: Lilly Sharrak, @shot.by_lilly ('29)

Men's Basketball Downs Saginaw Valley State 99-62 in Exhibition Game

10/18/2026 8:01:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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Chippewas outscore Saginaw Valley 60-26 in the second half, put game away by scoring first 10 points of the second half; Phat Phat Brooks leads the way with 16 points and five assists.

By: Greg Hotchkiss

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.—Central Michigan scored the first 10 points after halftime, then went on to outscore Saginaw Valley State 60-26 in the second half as it coasted to a 99-62 exhibition win over the Cardinals Sunday afternoon at McGuirk Arena. The matchup gave fans their first public glimpse of the 2026-27 Central Michigan men's basketball team.

Central Michigan hosts a second exhibition matchup on Tuesday, Oct. 27 against North Park. Tipoff for that game is at 7:30 p.m.

It was the veteran returnees who led the way for the Chippewas. Phat Phat Brooks led the way for the Chippewas with 16 points and five assists in 22 minutes, Keenan Garner contributed 13 points seven rebounds and two steals in 21 minutes, Jaxon Whitaker sparked the Chippewas with 13 points on 3-8 3-pointers, and Uchenna Amene came off the bench to score 10 points and dish out three assists.

In the second half, the Chippewas outscored the Cardinals 60-26, shot 58 percent (21-33), hit 7-12 3-pointers, and committed just seven turnovers. Through second half's first 10 minutes, Central Michigan had outscored 28-5 and through the first 13 minutes, CMU held SVSU to just 11 points.

After halftime, Central Michigan erupted for a 10-0 run. Brooks started the rally with two free throws, Whitaker hit back-to-back 3-pointers and then followed with a fast break layup for a commanding 13-point lead (49-36). The Chippewas scored 18 straight points and then went up by 30 points (77-47) with 7:15 to play on a 3-pointer by Jayden Hackett.

Central Michigan led just 39-36 at halftime. In the first half, the Chippewas turned the ball over 12 times and shot just 36 percent. A corner 3-pointer by Jayson Petty gave CMU a three-point lead heading into the break.

CMU held Saginaw Valley State scoreless over a four-minute span in building a 21-12 lead with a 7-0 run. Garner started the run when he converted two free throws then converted a to give CMU an 18-12 lead at the 10:40 mark. Phat Phat Brooks followed with 3-pointer, and Brock Mendoza added a free throw.

Saginaw Valley battled back with a 10-0 run to take a 26-23 lead at the 5:07 mark. Back-to-back 3-pointers by Cyrus Goins and Dontez Scott pulled the Cardinals within one point, then a steal by Wilson Huckeby and Goins layup gave SVSU a one-point lead. A Goins steal and layup put SVSU up 26-23.

It was close until Petty's 3-pointer gave Central Michigan a 39-36 halftime lead.

Central Michigan held a 52-31 rebounding edge and dished out 19 assists on 33 field goals. CMU started Brock Mendoza, Keenan Garner, Jalen Kampen, Jaxson Whitaker, and Phat Phat Brooks.

Earlier in the afternoon, Central Michigan hosted its annual alumni game at McGuirk Arena. Over 30 alums including former players, coaches, and team managers attended the event, which saw a competitive 69-59 final score.

Alumni players who attended included Nick Mullen (2025-26), Corey Redman (2016-20), Robert Montgomery (2018-20), Matty Smith (2016-20), Cecil Williams (2016-18), John McCarty (2014-18), Josh Kozinski (2014-18), Luke Meyer (2014-18), Blake Hibbitts (2012-17), Alex McCarty (2013-17), Chris Fowler (2012-16), Austin Stewart (2012-16), Tony Larkins (2011-15), Robbie Harman (2006-10), Giordan Watson (2004-08), Steve Schwanda (2001-06), Tom Pantlind (2000-05), Jon Woods (1999-02), Luke Johnson (1997-01), Todd Simmons (1996-00), Dan Schell (1995-00), Dan Young (1987-91), Steve Schmidt (1983-85), Derek Boldon (1981-85), Dave Grauzer (1976-79), Kevin Janer (1976-79), Ben Poquette (1973-77), and Dave Ginsberg (1964-68).

Saginaw Valley State is coached by former Central Michigan star Chris Fowler, who played in the alumni game. During pre-game, Central Michigan honored Fowler with a video of his highlights as a Chippewa.

Fowler, a 2016 CMU graduate, was a three-time All-MAC honoree and two-time First Team All-MAC selection in 2015 and 2016, Fowler was the first Central Michigan basketball player in school history to amass 1,000 career points, 500 assists, 250 rebounds and 150 steals. He concluded his four-year career from 2012-16 with 1,736 points, 686 assists, and 185 steals, and converted 475 of 680 free throws. In 2015, he helped guide Central Michigan to the MAC West Championship with a 23-9 overall record and 12-6 league record, and went on to earn first-team All-MAC ,Academic All-MAC, and was a finalist for the Lou Henson National Player of the Year Award, and MAC Player of the Year awards. He is the only Chippewa player to earn National Association of Basketball Coaches first-team all-district designation – and he did it twice. Fowler still holds CMU career records for assists (686), free-throw attempts (680), and made free throws (475), and is third all-time with 185 steals. As a freshman in 2012-13, he was selected team captain, started all 31 games and was the MAC Freshman of the Year runner-up.

After graduating from Central Michigan with a bachelor's degree in arts in theater and interpretation, he played professionally in Germany's Pro A league, Australia's former Queensland Basketball League and with the Fort Wayne (Ind.) Mad Ants in the NBA G-League.

—CMU—