Men's basketball attempts double-digit comeback but falls to Buffalo 99-93
After losing to a struggling Miami (Oh.) team on the road Saturday, the Central Michigan men’s basketball team returned to Mount Pleasant Tuesday night looking to split the season series with Buffalo and get back on track.
Trailing by 15 points to the Bulls with under ten minutes left in the game, the Chippewas needed a spark.
CMU proceeded to go on a 16-2 run to cut the lead down to four and ignite the home crowd. With one minute remaining, senior Braylon Rayson knocked down a 3-pointer and drew the foul to tie up the game with the free throw.
However, the Chippewas were unable to stop the Bulls on the other end after an offensive rebound and were defeated 99-93. It was Buffalo’s fourth-straight win in the series.
“Buffalo came in here playing as well as anyone in the league, so we didn’t catch them at the right time,” said head coach Keno Davis. “We know that we’re an improving team, but we still have to get better because the margin for error in this league is small.
“We like our chances (however) with the way this team has been able to perform.
Central Michigan drops to 16-10 overall and 6-7 in Mid-American Conference play. CMU is now a half-game back in the West Division standings after coming into Tuesday locked in a four-way tie.
Junior Marcus Keene entered the game needing only 12 points to break Dan Majerle’s single-season scoring record (795). The 5-foot-9 guard only scored four points in the first half, but came alive after the break to finish with 27 and become the program’s new single-season points leader.
“For him to be able to get some recognition, it’s well deserved,” Davis said. “I think it’s a sign of great things to come for him and his future in basketball and it’s also another step for our program.”
The transfer from Youngstown State also set the MAC record for most points in a season by a junior. Keene shot 6-of-9 from the field, 12-of-15 from the free throw line and added eight assists. He hit three 3-pointers in the second half, but lost the ball going for a lay-up with 30 seconds left to ice the game for the Bulls.
Rayson finished with a game-high 28 points on 8-of-17 shooting and 5-of-10 from beyond the arc. The Dallas, Texas native recorded his 12th straight game with at least 20 points.
“I’ve just been staying in position and the team believes in me and I believe in myself,” Rayson said. “My coach’s believe in me and know I can go out there and do it. I’m just going out there and doing it.”
Kozinski added 15 points on 5-of-8 on 3-pointers and sparked the offense down the stretch.
The Bulls bullied the Chippewas on the boards 49-33, including 19 on the offensive glass.
“As good teams do, they adjusted. We got some great looks at the end and it goes down to the last rebound,” Kozinski said. “We had one rebound to get and we let it go.”
UB had six players score in double-figures and shot 40 percent from the field. Willie Conner led the Bulls with 22 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the field while CJ Massinburg chipped in 20 points and nine rebounds. Blake Hamilton scored 12 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished out seven assists.
What’s Next
The Chippewas return to McGuirk on Saturday to play Ball State. Tip-off is scheduled for 4: 30 p.m.
