Manciel outplays Korver; Central upsets BlueJays
Greg Burghardt
In the case of the basketball team in its opening-round NCAA Tournament victory Thursday over No. 6-seeded Creighton, a 26-point lead proved to be just enough.
The Chippewas allowed the large lead to whittle down during the course of the second half, as the BlueJays cut it to 72-70 with less than two minutes remaining.
The team regained its composure in the games waning moments however, holding on for a 79-73 victory.
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“They’re a great team and they made their run,” said Head Coach Jay Smith. “We kept on fighting, played hard and never game up. I am very proud with my team.”
The win sets up a second-round showdown Thursday with No. 3 Duke, who defeated Colorado State. Fifth-year senior Mike Manciel scored a game-high 29 points in the victory and is excited about the matchup.
“A couple of years, I never could have dreamt this to happen,” Manciel said. “I am very excited about the matchup. This is the best time of my life. But I won’t smile, because there’s more ahead.”
The Creighton win ranked among the biggest in CMU history. The Chippewas hadn’t won an NCAA Tournament game since 1975, and last went to the tournament in 1987.
“It ranks right up there,” Smith said. “I am very proud for the team, the university, the athletic director. I’m sure a lot of people in Mount Pleasant are having a good time tonight courtesy of us.”
For a stretch in the second half, it looked as if the CMU press conference would have a more sour tone. The BlueJays went on a quick run, trimming the lead to nine in a matter of five minutes. Creighton (29-5) continued to put pressure on the Chippewas, and hot shooting allowed them to make it close.
“I think fatigue was definitely a factor,” Manciel said. “I know that I was dead tired.”
Junior center Chris Kaman was held to 12 points and six rebounds.
“For whatever reason, I was extremely tired,” Kaman said. “I don’t know if it was the altitude or what. We just had guys that kept fighting, though, and played hard on both ends of the floor.”
No. 11-seeded CMU closed out the game by exhibiting clutch defense and knocking down shots and free-throws. After House’s basket, Manciel answered.
After a BlueJay turnover and a Tony Bowne free-throw, Central held a 75-70 lead.
“We fought hard and started making some shots,” said Creighton forward Michael Lindeman. “But, I think after awhile, we ran out of gas. We couldn’t get over the hill.”
Bowne gave Central a lift, knocking down five-of-six shots for 14 points.
“It doesn’t surprise me,” Smith said. “He’ s a heady player. When they slip off him onto Kaman, it leaves him with open shots. He played a great game.”
Central struggled at the game’s onset, falling behind 8-6. A 32-14 run during the rest of the half, gave the Chippewas a 38-22 lead heading into the locker room.
“The team really stepped up during that run,” Manciel said. “Everybody came out and gave effort. We put on some defensive pressure that led to baskets.”
The run was engineered without the presence of Kaman, who was benched for the half’s final 10 minutes because of foul trouble. Reserves Gerrit Brigitha and Adam Dentlinger stepped into give solid post production off the bench.
“It was upsetting getting into foul trouble, but players stepped up,” Kaman said.
Wallace added 12 in the winning effort.
Senior Kyle Korver, the nation’s seventh-leading all time three point shooter, scored 21 points in his final game. Mike Grimes added 15 while Larry House chipped in 11.
The Saturday game begins at about 8:20 p.m.
“There would be nothing better than winning and going to the Sweet 16,” Wallace said.
