Marcus Keene scores 41 as CMU tops Kent State in overtime
After Kent State scored with 1.6 seconds in regulation to tie the game, an 11-point performance by Marcus Keene in overtime pushed the Central Michigan men's basketball team past the Golden Flashes, 105-98 Saturday.
Led by strong scoring performances from Keene, senior Braylon Rayson, and junior Josh Kozinski, the Chippewas earned their third consecutive win and fourth away from home this season.
When overtime started, Keene went on a tear. He scored the first eight points for the Chippewas including two 3-pointers.
Keene finished with 41 points on 13-of-26 shooting including four 3-pointers and 11 free throws. He completed his double-double with 10 rebounds and added four assists.
This is the fourth time this season Keene has scored 40 or more points. He's the first player since BYU's Jimmer Fredette during the 2010-11 season surpass 40 points four times in a season.
Keene is now averaging 30.3 points per game.
"I have extreme confidence in Marcus (Keene) but not even close to what kind of confidence that he has in himself," said head coach Keno Davis.
Rayson added a 26-point performance including the two game-clinching free throws in overtime. Kozinski scored 18 points on 5-of-8 shooting. Each of Kozinski's eight shot attempts were 3-pointers.
"It wasn't the key player, even though we had that too," Davis said. "We had some big time plays in big time situations."
After CMU built a 10-point lead in overtime, Kent State stormed back cutting the deficit to five. After Keene missed two free throws, KSU answered with two free throws, bringing the score back to within one possession.
However, Rayson hit two free throws with 15 seconds left in overtime and the Chippewas then secured the rebound from a missed KSU 3-point attempt and senior Luke Meyer scored the breakaway dunk as time expired.
"That's what I like about this group is that we do not panic," Davis said. "Even when the coach is panicked the players seem pretty calm and know that they have confidence in their ability. They were able to show it tonight, especially in the second half."
The Chippewas improved to 14-7 overall, and 4-4 in the Mid-American Conference.
CMU will travel to Buffalo, New York to play their next game against the University of Buffalo on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
