Ragin' Cajun heat too much for CMU mens basketball
The Central Michigan men's basketball team was hoping to add a Sun Belt Conference win under its belt on Saturday, but the heat from Louisiana was too much for the Chippewas as they fell 85-80.
With 2:19 remaining in the game CMU only trailed by eight with the game's momentum firmly against the Chippewas.
The Chippewa's defense gave the team hope as four consecutive stops allowed the maroon and gold to close the gap to three with 12 seconds remaining.
However, it was too late. With the defeat the squad falls to 7-17 on the season.
Both offenses started strong and traded points allowing CMU to lead 14-13 through the first six minutes as the defenses struggled early to adapt to the quick pace of the game.
Central Michigan held narrow but firm control over Louisiana for most of the first half with the offense able to respond to anything the Ragin' Cajuns threw at them as the Chippewas shot 15-26 from the field in the first 20 minutes.
The consistent offense allowed CMU to hold the edge going into the locker room with a 42-38 lead as the defense struggled in the final minute of the half, allowing five points unanswered before halftime.
The team from Mount Pleasant came out of halftime looking just as sharp on offense, jumping out to an eight point lead.
However, neither team was able to pull away convincingly all night, and a three from UL's De'Vion Lavernge helped close the gap.
Despite only six players tallying double digit minutes, the Ragin' Cajuns refused to show any signs of exhaustion, fighting to cut the deficit to three with 13:17 remaining in the game.
However, just as they had in the first half, the Chippewas seemed to always have a response on offense, as back-to-back threes from Jaxson Whitaker propelled CMU back to a multiple possession lead.
Louisiana snapped back after a brief intermission with a 12-2 run to take a 66-63 lead as Central Michigan entered a drought, struggling to find consistent looks.
A timeout briefly reset the momentum, but it was clear that UL had found its rhythm, capturing a nine point 76-67 lead with four minutes remaining.
The maroon and gold closed the game with a 13-9 run, trying to claw back into the game, but it was too late and Louisiana was able to run out the clock.
The Chippewas offense has improved over the course of the teams last games, with the contest against Louisiana being no different as the squad finished shooting 57.1% from the field and 47.4% from three.
The team from Mount Pleasant also won the turnover battle 11-9, which the unit has struggled with all season.
However, the defense struggled as the Ragin' Cajuns finished with six players scoring double-digit points.
Tamario Adley led Central Michigan in scoring, finishing with 21 points on 8-13 from the field.
CMU mens basketball returns to Mount Pleasant on Saturday, Feb 14. at 5 p.m. as the maroon and gold have a chance to get back in the win column against Northern Illinois.
