CMU struggles to score, falls to Eastern Michigan in MAC opener
A lack of scoring led to an 85-63 defeat to Eastern Michigan Central Michgan in the Mid-American Conference opener Tuesday night.
The loss was the Chippewas' third MAC-opening loss in four seasons and second straight to EMU. The Eagles also defeated CMU, 99-80 last season.
"When you try to win on the road, which is never easy, you need good things to happen," said Head Coach Keno Davis. "We didn't make enough good things happen for us."
Entering the second half down 34-30, the Chippewas were outscored by 18 points in the second half.
This was the Chippewas lowest scoring game so far this season.
CMU finished shooting 32.8 percent from the field, connecting on 20-of-61 field goal attempts. CMU shot 7-for-30 from 3-point range.
Davis said his team "couldn't buy a bucket on the offensive end," and "couldn't catch a break."
Junior guard Marcus Keene led all scorers with 22 points on 6-of-20 shooting. The 22 points against EMU keeps Keene's scoring average above 30 for the season, coming in at 30.1 points per game. He also added four rebounds, five assists, and seven turnovers.
Senior guard Braylon Rayson tacked on 15 points for the Chippewas on four made field goals. He shot 28.6 percent from the field in a game that seemed loaded with missed opportunities.
Eastern Michigan's victory was led by forward James Thompson IV and center Baylee Steele who both had double-doubles on the night. Thompson and Steele each tallied 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Dominated by length, CMU was out rebounded by EMU 48-38. The average height of the Eagles starting five is 6-foot-9 inches tall, which gave Central Michigan problems on both sides of the ball, Davis said.
"It's so tough to simulate Eastern Michigan's defense with the length and the zone that they play," he said.. "Hopefully our guys understand some of the mistakes they made."
While averaging 10.1 turnovers so far this season, the Chippewas allowed EMU possession via steals 12 times. The final turnover tally for CMU was 17, while EMU had 12.
"It's uncharacteristic for us to have that many turnovers," Davis said. "Sometimes you get better from your losses. We have to make sure that we stay together when we have one loss because there is a lot of basketball to be played."
The Chippewas will continue MAC play on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. against Northern Illinois.
