'That was insane'
Chippewas rally late in second half to grab fourth straight Toilet Paper Toss win.
Central Michigan University senior center Nathan Claerbaut celebrates scoring a layup at McGuirk Arena on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Claerbaut scored a total of 12 points against the Falcons along with five rebounds and two assists. (CM-Life | Jasmine Brookins)
After being down by as much as 14 points in front of 5,352 screaming fans, the Central Michigan University men’s basketball team was up three with just eight seconds to go.
After the inbound, the Bowling Green State University Falcons drove down the court with one last opportunity to tie it up. With the crowd at their feet, the Falcons were able to put up a shot.
It hit the rim and bounced away. The crowd and the Chippewas both erupted in cheers as they won the game, 62-59.
However, this game was unlike any other during this season. This was the fourth annual Toilet Paper Toss Game. McGuirk Arena was painted white as more than double the average attendance came out for the themed game.
“I mean, that was insane,” senior center Nathan Claerbaut, a first time participant in the tradition said. “The crowd was awesome, they really helped us.”
CMU head coach Andy Bronkema, who experienced his first game under the tradition, also spoke about the atmosphere leading to the Chippewa’s seventh win of the season.
“The crowd was amazing, the support was amazing,” Bronkema said. “Mount Pleasant came out. Central Michigan came out. Students were wild, and we needed that.”
Although the outcome was great for the Chippewas, the Falcons would prove to be a tough opponent, especially in the first half.
The Chippewas had only 20 points by halftime and had already turned the ball over 13 times. The Falcons were doing what they had done all season, giving up the second-fewest points and causing the most turnovers in the Mid-American Conference.
The Chippewas were also shooting poorly, with a field goal percentage of 32.1% and a three-point percentage of just 11.1%.
Yet the Chippewa players and coaches persevered through the poor shooting and turnovers.
“We talked about that at halftime. Stop turning the ball over, don't worry so much about the missed shots, we are creating good shots,” Bronkema said. “We've got to believe in that and believe in our skill set, but also, hey, if we put any type of run together tonight, this place is going to go crazy.”
Central Michigan University sophomore forward Keenan Garner flexes his muscles in response to senior center Nathan Claerbaut scoring a layup at McGuirk Arena on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Garner led the team with 18 points, along with 14 rebounds and 2 assists. (CM-Life | Jasmine Brookins)
Coming out of halftime, the Chippewas went on a 22-7 run, with 15 of them coming from the frontcourt of Claerbaut and sophomore forward Keenan Garner.
Garner also grabbed a double-double with season highs in points and boards, going 18 and 14 with eight offensive rebounds.
Senior guard Tamario Adley, who struggled to shoot throughout the game, hit the tie-breaker. He grabbed a loose ball with an assist, all in the last minute of the game. Even with the shooting not going his way, his confidence never wavered.
Central Michigan University senior guard Tamario Adley looks for an open teammate to pass to at McGuirk Arena on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. Adley scored eight points against Bowling Green, along with two assists. (CM-Life | Jasmine Brookins)
“Missing shots is part of the game, so if I'm not hitting Shots, I had to impact the game in different ways,” Adley said. “Guarding my man, rebounding, getting steals, or carrying energy from my teammates.”
This win marked their first back-to-back victories of the season. This also creates momentum that the Chippewas would like to carry into their upcoming road trip.
“It’s huge to have the home crowd, but now were going on the road for a little bit,” Claerbaut said. “We’re going to have to create our own energy. That’s just what we’re going to have to do.”
In the next week, the Chippewas travel to Amherst, Mass., on Tuesday to face off against the University of Massachusetts. They will stay on the road this Saturday to face the University of Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns.
