Rapid Reaction: Keene shines as men's basketball wins season opener
CMU 117, IU-Kokomo 53
For the first time since March 1, the Central Michigan men's basketball team can put one in the win column.
The Chippewas defeated Indiana-Kokomo 117-53 on Friday night at McGuirk Arena. After losing the last three games of the 2015-16 season, CMU has won an exhibition game and its season-opener. CMU defeated Slippery Rock 91-74 in an exhibition game on Nov. 5.
Six players scored double figures for the Chippewas, with four of them having double-doubles. CMU hit the century mark for the first time a 105-77 win over Miami (Ohio) on Jan. 14, 2015.
Keene goes off
Marcus Keene, playing in his first regular-season game at CMU, scored 26 points in the first half before finishing with a game-high 32.
The Youngstown State transfer put up 32 points in an exhibition game against Slippery Rock on Saturday, Nov. 5.
Keene scored with ease in the first half, going 9-of-15 from the floor and 3-of-7 from 3-point range in the first 20 minutes.
The junior guard hit a 3-pointer with three seconds remaining in the first half to give the Chippewas a 59-32 lead at the break.
Williams gets to the strike
Head Coach Keno Davis said he hasn't had a player built like Cecil Williams, a transfer from Moberly Community College, during his tenure at CMU. Davis praised Williams' size and strength in the team's exhibition game.
Starting at forward on Friday night, Williams used his size and strength to get to the free-throw line. Williams totaled nine first-half points, all coming from the charity stripe. He corralled six rebounds.
Williams scored the first four points of the second half for CMU on free throws. He finished the game with 16 points and was 14-of 17 from the free-throw line. He added 10 rebounds to notch his first double-double as a Chippewa.
Rebounding guards
Following the exhibition over Slippery Rock, Keene said he had to rebound better as a guard and help the forwards out down low.
In addition to the 26 first-half points, Keene and senior guard Braylon Rayson each pulled down seven rebounds in the first half to lead CMU. Junior forwards Luke Meyer had four and DaRohn Scott had one.
Keene and Rayson finished the game with 10 rebounds each to notch double doubles. Rayson scored 17 points.
What's next
After playing in front of the home crowd at McGuirk Arena to start the season, CMU will hit the road and face Tennessee Tech at 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 14.
