Men's basketball dominates Eastern Michigan, stays unbeaten at home
Junior guard RayShawn Simmons drives to the net during the CMU men's basketball team's win over Eastern Michigan on Saturday at McGuirk Arena.
In front of a crowd of more than 4,000 people, the Central Michigan University men's basketball team stayed undefeated at home with a 65-51 thrashing of Eastern Michigan University on Saturday at McGuirk Arena.
The Chippewas improved to 14-3 overall and 4-2 in Mid-American Conference competition with the win. Eleven consecutive home victories is the best start in its own gym the program has had since 1986.
In a low-scoring contest, CMU used its defense to smother the Eagles.
“We’ve shown this that we’ve been able to win in a number of ways,” Head Coach Keno Davis said. “I want to acknowledge that 1-5 record in front of Eastern Michigan. That doesn’t tell the story. They could be exactly where we’re sitting. I wouldn’t be surprised if they turned their season around."
Davis was appreciative of the showing CMU basketball fans made on Saturday.
“It’s our goal for that crowd you saw tonight to be a common occurrence,” he said. “If it is, it’s going to allow you to win a few more games a year.”
The CMU defense limited the Eagles to two assists and a measly 30.5 shooting percentage from the field. CMU used an impressive 47.1 shooting percentage from 3-point range to grab control of the game early.
“We didn’t make a lot of our threes like we usually do,” junior guard Chris Fowler said. “We made timely ones-ones that mattered.”
CMU junior forward John Simons scored 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while Fowler managed to put up 13 points in the win.
Fowler also went 3-of-5 from the free-throw line.
Freshman guard Luke Meyer had seven rebounds, helping CMU outrebound the Eagles by a margin of 45-38.
“We’re going to play for each other and take care of each other no matter what is going on,” said Fowler.
CMU will next face Kent State University at 7 p.m. on Jan. 27.
