Down and out: CMU drops third straight game, loses 63-43 at Akron

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Four players score in double figures, and that’s a recipe for success.

But not for Central Michigan. Not Sunday in Akron, Ohio, against the Akron Zips. Not when the remaining eight players who see the court combine for two points.

The men’s basketball team shot an abysmal 30.4 percent from the field, an even worse 28.6 percent from the free-throw line and never seemingly got close after a 38-28 deficit at the half. Akron (12-9, 3-4 Mid-American Conference) had a 20-7 run to finish the game, nullifying any CMU threat, to win 63-43 at James A. Rhodes Arena.

“We just really struggled to makes shots in and around the basket, if not open shots,” said CMU coach Ernie Zeigler, who added that he would prefer to serve as the team’s lone voice after the loss.

CMU did not hit a free throw in the second half, finishing 0-for-7 in the half, and 4-for-14 in the game.

“When you’re struggling to score from the field, you got to try to manufacture points and get to the foul line,” Zeigler said. “And when you get those opportunities and you’re not able to capitalize, it makes it really difficult.”

Freshman guard Derek Jackson led all CMU scorers with 11 points in 34 minutes playing time.

Freshman guard Trey Zeigler, senior forward Jalin Thomas and sophomore guard Finus Craddock each added 10.

Sophomore guard John Morris, who has seen his role increase since the departure of senior guard Amir Rashid last week, hit the lone basket by any other Chippewa player.

Starting forwards senior Will McClure and junior Andre Coimbra have seen better days. Both got into foul trouble — Coimbra had two by halftime — and fouled out with zero points.

“When guys get in early foul trouble, it’s hard to get into a rhythm offensively,” Zeigler said. “It puts the onus on other guys to have to try and make something happen, or maybe even force some things at times that isn’t there. That compounds to lower shooting percentages.”

Akron sophomore center Zeke Marshall, at 7-foot, 218 pounds, caused all kinds of problems for CMU (5-15, 2-5 MAC).

He finished with 16 points, three rebounds and three blocks. He was the lone Akron player who reached double digits.

CMU cut Akron’s lead to seven on a Craddock jumper with 9:51 remaining in the game.

The Zips ended any hope of a comeback with a 13-2 run, making it 56-38 with less than 3 minutes remaining.

“They did a really good job of playing inside-out,” Zeigler said. “The big juncture for us … we had a chance to get a defensive rebound, and they were able to get second shots.”

Akron out-rebounded CMU 38-30.

Thomas came a rebound shy of a double-double. He added nine rebounds to his 10 points, and played 33 minutes.

“He’s just battling. He’s getting offensive rebounds and fighting through his shot not quite being where he’s accustomed to it being,” said Zeigler, who added that Thomas may still be less than 75 percent health-wise.

CMU plays Ohio at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at McGuirk Arena.