CMU basketball hits century mark, handles Alma in home opener
Men’s basketball tipped its season off on a positive note, defeating Alma College, 106-64 Friday night at McGuirk Arena.
From the onset of the game the Chippewas were in control of their opponent, asserting experience over the Division Three Scots.
“For it being our first game, I’m happy with our execution,” Head Coach Keno Davis said after the win. “I understand where Alma is and what they’re trying to build so I think it’s also important to understand that they’re a team on the rise.”
Junior guard Chris Fowler recorded his first double double of the 2014 campaign, scoring 12 points on 11 assists, with a single rebound against the Scots.
He also converted three of his five free-throw opportunities for the evening.
Junior forward, Blake Hibbitts came up one rebound shy of his own double double. He also led the team in both points with 14 and rebounds with nine respectively.
"Everyone was getting some open looks tonight," Hibbitts said. "I was able to benefit from some pretty good drive kicks and get some open shots."
CMU had a 31-point lead going into halftime and never gave Alma a chance of getting back into the game. They were able to distribute the ball around and, by the half, everyone who had stepped onto the court for the Chippewas had scored at least one bucket.
“It's exciting when everyone gets in on the action,” said Hibbitts. "When everyone gets a couple of shots in it just makes the game fun for all of us."
Hibbitts also sank three of his four free-throw opportunities.
Sophomore guard Braylon Rayson had eight points and seven rebounds in the winning effort. The Dallas native also made two of his four long range shots, going 50 percent from beyond the arc.
The defense was able to cause confusion for the visiting Scots as well. Alma turned the ball over 23 times overall and sent the Chippewas to the free-throw line a total of 37 times in the game.
As a team CMU shot 50 percent from 3-point range, which was just less than their respective field goal shooting percentage of 53.8.
Defeating a school in such close proximity to Central Michigan, like Alma, is a positive but Davis chooses to take it in stride and has empathy for all programs that surround CMU, regardless of their respective size.
“I think it's important to have class and understand that (Alma) is a very well-coached team,” said Davis. "It's going to be exciting to be able to see a school so close to us, with players that our players know, and we want all of the area schools to achieve good things."
The Chippewas will see their next action against Youngstown State at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 18 at McGuirk Arena.
