'We beat them by 40'
Chippewas go all out for Valentine’s Day, getting their biggest conference win in school history
Central Michigan University sophomore guard Jaxson Whitaker goes up for two at the basketball game against Northern Illinois University at McGuirk Arena on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. Whitaker led the team scoring a total of 19 points against the Huskies with one rebound, and one assist. (CM-Life | Jasmine Brookins)
Although Valentine’s Day is traditionally a day filled with romance and love, the Central Michigan University men’s basketball team showed no grace to the visiting Northern Illinois University Huskies.
Coming into the game, both teams had just three conference wins. Yet the Chippewas played like they had never lost before, winning 88-46. This win was the biggest conference win in CMU history.
Senior guard Logan McIntire, who leads the team in three-point makes this season, was out with an apparent injury.
Even with that blow, the Chippewas had their second-best three-point shooting night, thanks to sophomore guard Jaxson Whitaker. Whitaker made five of his seven three-point attempts and ended with a game and career-high in points with 19.
“With Logan out, I had to step into a little bit of a bigger role and knock down some shots, but I feel like offensively we all played great, moved the ball well,” Whitaker said. “It was a good game to get back at NIU after a pretty sad loss the first time we played them.”
When the Chippewas faced the Huskies in December, they led by 17 at halftime but ended up losing by one.
Central Michigan University sophomore forward Keenan Garner celebrates scoring a two-pointer after being fouled at the basketball game against Northern Illinois University at McGuirk Arena on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. Garner scored his third double-double of the season scoring 14 points, 11 rebounds and two assists. (CM-Life | Jasmine Brookins)
“We have let a few games slip away from us this year,” sophomore forward Keenan Garner said. “So just putting an emphasis on finishing the game, doing the things that got us the lead, and just playing the right way, finishing the game, and coming out with the wins like this is huge.”
Garner had an eventful game, getting his third double-double of the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while also grabbing four steals.
Senior guard Tamario Adley also had important stats of his own, with game-highs of six assists and four blocks.
Even with all the hustle plays they made, Garner and Adley managed to foul only once the entire game.
“I'm not gonna lie, I got a little lucky today because I definitely did foul them a few times, but, you know, they were letting us play a little bit,” Garner said.
Fans in the crowd of the Central Michigan University men's basketball game cheer loudly after a CMU player scores a point in McGuirk arena on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (CM-Life | Claire Vachon)
Even with Garner’s clean game, other Chippewas were not as lucky. Three guards, including Whitaker, were on the verge of fouling out as they all had four fouls.
“A couple of my fouls could have been because I was a little tired, but when you're playing a lot of minutes, obviously, there's a higher chance of you fouling more,” Whitaker said. “I mean, obviously, we are more physical than them. We beat them by 40.”
During the game, the student section seemed drained, as the blowout came just after the CMU women’s game at 1 p.m., which ended in a one-score game. The bunched-up timing was because these games were part of the Hoops & Hearts Doubleheader.
After the game, tension was high as a brief scuffle broke out during the handshakes. Garner said it was just 'people being competitive' and that the Chippewas are just focused on the next game.
Head Coach Andy Bronkema did not talk to Central Michigan Life after the game.
