2008 Woodie Awards
Men's basketball defeats Western, 72-68
Chippewas make 10 three-pointers
By: David Harris
Issue date: 2/27/08 Section: Sports
Men's basketball coach Ernie Zeigler called out his team's toughness after CMU's blowout loss at Western Michigan in January.
But Zeigler said CMU played with the tenacity it needed to in the 72-68 win against rival Western on Tuesday night in Rose Arena.
Central (13-15 overall, 8-7 Mid-American Conference) got off to a horrid start offensively, shooting 12.5 percent in the game's first nine minutes. It was reminiscent of the last meeting with Western, when CMU shot just 26.8 percent.
"We (felt like) we're right there before (at Western)," Zeigler said. "Our confidence was starting to wane."
But back-to-back three pointers by guard Robbie Harman jump started the CMU offense.
Western (18-11, 11-4 MAC) answered with a 12-0, but CMU ended the half on a 12-2 run to tie the score at 25 at halftime.
The Chippewas made 10 three-pointers in the game, five of which were from Harman.
Harman led CMU with 18 points, while senior guard Giordan Watson added 17.
Watson's ability to penetrate the Broncos defense and kick the ball out to open teammates was the difference in the game, said Western coach Steve Hawkins.
"He created for everyone else," Hawkins said. "He showed why he is the best guard in the conference."
Watson said when he is aggressive, it allows players like Harman and junior guard Jordan Bitzer to excel.
"They sort of make my job a lot easier," Watson said.
Both teams shot above 50 percent in the second half, after shooting below 35 percent in the first.
Western guard David Kool led Western with 24 points - 19 of which came in the second half. Kool did most of his damage from the free throw line, making 13 of 16 attempts.
However, two of his misses came with 8.8 seconds left and down three points. The second miss caromed around and went out-of-bounds.
It appeared to go off of CMU's Jeremy Allen, however, Central was awarded the ball. Kool said that was a moot point.
"When you lose you always want one more shot," Kool said. "But we didn't deserve to win that game the way we played."
Guard Shawntes Gary added 20 points for Western on 6-of-12 shooting.
Both teams have one more game before the MAC Tournament.
Western, as the MAC West champion, will be the No. 2 seed. Kent State won the East Division on Tuesday night and will be the No. 1 seed.
CMU's seed is undetermined.
editor@cm-life.com
But Zeigler said CMU played with the tenacity it needed to in the 72-68 win against rival Western on Tuesday night in Rose Arena.
Central (13-15 overall, 8-7 Mid-American Conference) got off to a horrid start offensively, shooting 12.5 percent in the game's first nine minutes. It was reminiscent of the last meeting with Western, when CMU shot just 26.8 percent.
"We (felt like) we're right there before (at Western)," Zeigler said. "Our confidence was starting to wane."
But back-to-back three pointers by guard Robbie Harman jump started the CMU offense.
Western (18-11, 11-4 MAC) answered with a 12-0, but CMU ended the half on a 12-2 run to tie the score at 25 at halftime.
The Chippewas made 10 three-pointers in the game, five of which were from Harman.
Harman led CMU with 18 points, while senior guard Giordan Watson added 17.
Watson's ability to penetrate the Broncos defense and kick the ball out to open teammates was the difference in the game, said Western coach Steve Hawkins.
"He created for everyone else," Hawkins said. "He showed why he is the best guard in the conference."
Watson said when he is aggressive, it allows players like Harman and junior guard Jordan Bitzer to excel.
"They sort of make my job a lot easier," Watson said.
Both teams shot above 50 percent in the second half, after shooting below 35 percent in the first.
Western guard David Kool led Western with 24 points - 19 of which came in the second half. Kool did most of his damage from the free throw line, making 13 of 16 attempts.
However, two of his misses came with 8.8 seconds left and down three points. The second miss caromed around and went out-of-bounds.
It appeared to go off of CMU's Jeremy Allen, however, Central was awarded the ball. Kool said that was a moot point.
"When you lose you always want one more shot," Kool said. "But we didn't deserve to win that game the way we played."
Guard Shawntes Gary added 20 points for Western on 6-of-12 shooting.
Both teams have one more game before the MAC Tournament.
Western, as the MAC West champion, will be the No. 2 seed. Kent State won the East Division on Tuesday night and will be the No. 1 seed.
CMU's seed is undetermined.
editor@cm-life.com
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