CMU loses in OT against Montana State
It was there for the taking.
After beating Cal State Fullerton Saturday on a three-point buzzer beater from senior Jalin Thomas, the Central Michigan men’s basketball team found itself in a similar situation Sunday.
This time, however, it didn’t turn out so well.
CMU was outscored 9-2 in overtime, losing 65-58 against Montana State at the Stan Sherrif Center in Honolulu, Hawaii.
“We struggled attacking the zone there down the stretch and didn’t do a good job of controlling the things we could control,” said head coach Ernie Zeigler.
Freshman Trey Zeigler finished with a game-high 21 points and four rebounds, including the game-tying field goal with 45 seconds remaining. Zeigler had an opportunity to win the game in the final seconds of regulation, but his contested three-point attempt grazed the rim and did not fall.
“It was a tough loss,” Trey Zeigler said. “We didn’t come up with the stops that we needed to.”
Coach Zeigler said Montana State’s change in defense disrupted CMU’s game plan, resulting in younger Zeigler’s forced shot at the end of regulation.
“We wanted to spread the floor and get an opportunity to drive it,” Ernie Zeigler said. “When they were able to tip that ball back, it definitely threw the whole possession off and put us more in a scramble situation, so we didn’t really get the shot we wanted.”
Both teams started out sluggish, shooting less than 40 percent from the floor. The Chippewas took a 26-24 lead at half.
The start of the second half was more of the same, until Montana State went on a 9-2 run to take a 49-40 lead with nine minutes remaining. CMU could never regain the lead – only tie – on the way to its first loss of the season.
“We struggled a little bit defensively,” coach Zeigler said. “We gave up a couple of threes off penetration and really struggled to keep a single tip in front of us as well. That combination in (overtime) put us in a position where we weren’t able to be successful.”
Thomas continued his strong weekend with 15 points and six rebounds, while senior Will McClure added eight rebounds.
Rod Singleton had 20 points for Montana State (1-1).
CMU has Monday off before it prepares to play Hawaii at 4 a.m. Tuesday. The game will be televised live on ESPN.
