Men's Basketball Wins Third Straight, Defeats Youngstown State 91-78

Tuesday, November 10

Mount Pleasant, Mich.

7 p.m.

Central Michigan University

3-0,0-0MAC

Youngstown State

1-2,0-0Horizon

Team	1	2	F
Youngstown St.	34	44	78
Central Mich.	50	41	91

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Photo by: Katrina Shammami - @mediabykat

Men's Basketball vs Youngston State University November 10, 2026

Photo by: Matthew MacPhee '28 - @mattsvisuals_

11/10/2026 10:45:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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Central Michigan closes first half with 17-0 run over final 4:39 to take control of the game; Phat Phat Brooks scores a career-high 22 points to lead the Chippewas.

By: Greg Hotchkiss

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.—Same team effort for a third straight win for Central Michigan. Same post game victory celebration with interim coach Raymoan McAfee. But this time the Chippewas used a 17-0 run before halftime in building a sizable lead as they coasted to a 91-78 victory over NCAA Division I Youngstown State Tuesday evening at McGuirk Arena.

With the win, Central Michigan improves to 3-0 on the season, while Youngstown State drops to 1-2. Central Michigan is off to a 3-0 start to a season for the first time since it went 4-0 to start the 2019-20 campaign.

For the second straight game, Phat Phat Brooks registered a career-high with a game-high 22 points (7-11 FG), Jalen Kampen finished with a career-high 13 points, Keenan Garner added 13 points and a team-high six rebounds, Conrad Luczynski added 11 points in only 10 minutes of action, and Jayson Petty contributed 10 off the bench.

The two teams combined for 42 fouls and 64 free throws. The Chippewas took advantage, making 26 of 34 free throws (76.5 percent). CMU also hit 58.8 percent (30-51) of its field goals.

From the start, Youngstown State built a nine point lead (27-18) at the 11:51 mark.

But Central Michigan took control of the game by outscoring Youngstown State 20-3 over the final 7:17 of the first half to take a commanding 50-34 halftime lead. The Chippewas overcame a 27-18 deficit with a 12-4 run to take a 30-29 lead on a Kampen fast break layup at the 7:42 mark. From there, the Chippewas used a Brock Mendoza layup, a floating jumper from Whitaker to go up 34-31.

Then, after a YSU bucket, CMU went on a 17-0 run to close out the half. Jake Bascom scored the first basket on a driving layup in the paint, Petty converted a jumper, Kampen followed with a 3-pointer, Mendoza scored on a layup, Brooks hit a pull up shot in the paint, Kampen hit three free throws, then a foul on a halfcourt shot by Brooks gave the Chippewas three more points before halftime and a 50-34 lead.

"We made a few simple adjustments," McAfee said. "Really the adjustment was to adjust mentally and refocus. It seemed like they were hitting a lot of shots but there was still 35 minutes left in the game. 'If they can go up nine in five minutes, how much can we go up in 35?' We refocused and reminded them of what we practiced."

"Youngstown State got off to a better start, but we had a better finish."

Central Michigan led by as many as 19 points with 12:34 to play. The closest the Penguins came in the second half was an eight-point deficit with 14:33 to play, but the Chippewas quickly responded 11-0 run to close the game down.

"I think we played hard," Brooks said. "They came out and shot well and we got down pretty quick, but we adjusted well. Some of our guys got in foul trouble. We all just stayed calm and collected and came out with the win. I'm proud of the team, proud of the coaches, proud of everyone."

Youngstown State was led by Jeff Nwankwo and Jaiden Haynes, who both scored 15 points. Dom Aekins finished with 12 points and seven assists.

Central Michigan starters were Luczynski at center, Garner at forward, and Whitaker, Kampen, and Brooks at guard.

Next up, Central Michigan hits the road for the first of five consecutive road games. The Chippewas play at Northern Kentucky on Saturday, Nov. 14. Tipoff is at 3:30 p.m. in Highland Heights, Ky.

"We're going to prepare like we prepare for all of them," McAfee said. "We're going to make sure we're healthy, available, and come into practice and focus. We need to be strong with the ball, shorten up our passes, execute our game plan, and players just need to go out there and make plays; that's the emphasis."

Central Michigan improved to 8-4 all-time vs. Youngstown State. The Chippewas are a perfect 2-0 at home this season.

—CMU—