Attendance tops 4,000 for second time in McGuirk Arena history for men’s basketball
The inaugural men’s basketball game at McGuirk Arena on Dec. 1, 2010, drew a capacity crowd of 5,350. Central Michigan lost to Temple 65-53.
The second-largest men’s basketball crowd in McGuirk Arena history filled in on Saturday to watch the Chippewas handle Eastern Michigan 65-51.
The 4,041 fans in attendance watched the Chippewas improve their home record to 11-0. It’s the best home start to a season for CMU since it recorded an undefeated 13-0 home record in 1986-1987 at the Dan Rose Center.
“It’s our goal for that crowd that you saw tonight to be a common occurrence,” said Head Coach Keno Davis. “If it is, that’s going to allow you to win a few more games a year and that can be the difference between being a nice team and being a team that’s dancing in March.”
The highest attended game last season for men’s basketball was also against Eastern Michigan, when McGuirk Arena hosted 2,428 fans in a 72-59 Chippewas loss.
Junior guard Chris Fowler said Saturday’s win was more enjoyable than when his team knocked off Mid-American Conference favorite Toledo on the road in front of more than 4,500 fans at Savage Arena on Jan. 6.
“Every time we share it with the fans, it’s more enjoyable,” Fowler said. “We want to do a good job of representing Central Michigan University, so every time they get to come out and watch us play, it’s a blessing and we appreciate it.”
CMU currently ranks ninth out of the 12 MAC teams averaging 2,136 fans per home game. Ohio leads the MAC with 6,038 fans per home game.
After a road game against Kent State Wednesday, the Chippewas will play their next three games at home playing Ohio, Bowling Green and Western Michigan.
