2008 Woodie Awards
Chippewas lose first two games in Missouri
By: Daniel Monson
Issue date: 11/14/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
Giordan Watson may have tried too hard to take over Tuesday in the men's basketball team's 75-70 loss to Division II Central Missouri in Columbia, Mo.
The senior point guard made four 3-point shots in the last 3:02 to keep CMU within striking distance, but had two costly turnovers in the last two minutes. Watson finished with 20 points to lead CMU.
CMU coach Ernie Zeigler declined comment after the game.
Central was unable to overcome its defensive and rebounding struggles down the stretch.
After Watson cut UCM's lead to 72-70 with a 3-point shot with eight seconds remaining, UCM junior forward Skip Thomas grabbed an offensive rebound off a missed free throw and was fouled by junior Marcus Van. Van drew a technical foul after the play.
The Mules were paced by 16 points from Luellen and three others who scored in double figures.
CMU sent UCM to the free-throw line 30 times in the second half. Central only attempted 14 total free throws, making seven.
Freshman Chase Simon scored 15 points for the second consecutive game.
Junior forward Chris Kellermann made a 3-point shot, giving the Chippewas a 40-39 lead with 13:47 remaining in the game.
After Kellermann's shot, UCM went on a 22-13 run to force the Chippewas to scramble back the rest of the game.
Missouri blues
A main concern for the Chippewas heading into Monday's 87-76 season-opening loss against Missouri in Columbia was handling the Tigers' full-court pressure.
Instead, CMU found itself in foul trouble.
"Foul trouble is a part of the game you have to be able to deal with," Zeigler said Monday. "Unfortunately for us, we weren't able to handle it."
Watson, freshman Chase Allen and sophomore Marko Spica fouled out.
The loss marks the fifth consecutive year CMU has been unable to win its season opener.
CMU jumped out to an early 14-7 lead, but could not contain UM senior Demarre Carroll, who finished with 23 points.
Watson was limited to only 22 minutes. He finished with seven points and did not have an assist.
"It took us out of our rhythm, particularly defensively," Zeigler said. "(Watson) heads our defense and I think it kept him from getting into a rhythm offensively also."
Freshmen Jeremy Allen and Simon both started. Allen scored 17 points to lead CMU, while Simon added 14.
"It was an experience - I was a little tense when I got out there," Allen said. "But after the jump ball, I settled down and I think I played a good game."
sports@cm-life.com
The senior point guard made four 3-point shots in the last 3:02 to keep CMU within striking distance, but had two costly turnovers in the last two minutes. Watson finished with 20 points to lead CMU.
CMU coach Ernie Zeigler declined comment after the game.
Central was unable to overcome its defensive and rebounding struggles down the stretch.
After Watson cut UCM's lead to 72-70 with a 3-point shot with eight seconds remaining, UCM junior forward Skip Thomas grabbed an offensive rebound off a missed free throw and was fouled by junior Marcus Van. Van drew a technical foul after the play.
The Mules were paced by 16 points from Luellen and three others who scored in double figures.
CMU sent UCM to the free-throw line 30 times in the second half. Central only attempted 14 total free throws, making seven.
Freshman Chase Simon scored 15 points for the second consecutive game.
Junior forward Chris Kellermann made a 3-point shot, giving the Chippewas a 40-39 lead with 13:47 remaining in the game.
After Kellermann's shot, UCM went on a 22-13 run to force the Chippewas to scramble back the rest of the game.
Missouri blues
A main concern for the Chippewas heading into Monday's 87-76 season-opening loss against Missouri in Columbia was handling the Tigers' full-court pressure.
Instead, CMU found itself in foul trouble.
"Foul trouble is a part of the game you have to be able to deal with," Zeigler said Monday. "Unfortunately for us, we weren't able to handle it."
Watson, freshman Chase Allen and sophomore Marko Spica fouled out.
The loss marks the fifth consecutive year CMU has been unable to win its season opener.
CMU jumped out to an early 14-7 lead, but could not contain UM senior Demarre Carroll, who finished with 23 points.
Watson was limited to only 22 minutes. He finished with seven points and did not have an assist.
"It took us out of our rhythm, particularly defensively," Zeigler said. "(Watson) heads our defense and I think it kept him from getting into a rhythm offensively also."
Freshmen Jeremy Allen and Simon both started. Allen scored 17 points to lead CMU, while Simon added 14.
"It was an experience - I was a little tense when I got out there," Allen said. "But after the jump ball, I settled down and I think I played a good game."
sports@cm-life.com
Be the first to comment on this story