Men's basketball season ends with loss to Louisiana Tech in first round of NIT
Junior forward John Simons dribbles down the court during the CMU men's basketball team's loss to Louisana Tech in the first round of the NIT Tuesday night in Ruston, La. (Photo courtesy CMU Athletic Communication)
Central Michigan University men’s basketball came into Tuesday’s National Invitation Tournament first-round game priding itself on depth and 3-point shooting. The Chippewas struggled in both areas, leading to their 89-79 loss to Louisiana Tech.
While the Bulldogs (26-8) advance to the second round of the NIT, the Chippewas (23-9) postseason run is over. Their 23 wins are tied for the second most in program history.
No. 6 CMU, also known as #3MU throughout the season, was 6-for-23 shooting 3-pointers while the No. 3 Bulldogs hit 11-of-19 long balls.
“We didn’t make some open looks that we had made pretty much the whole year,” said Head Coach Keno Davis.
The Chippewas had 10 bench points Tuesday, while the Bulldogs bench scored 43 points. The Chippewas are 17-1 this season when making more 3-pointers than their opponent and 16-0 when their bench outscores the opponents bench.
LA Tech, which is now 17-0 at home this season and has won its past 30 home games, jumped out to a 12-point halftime lead in front of 6,904 fans.
Sophomore guard Braylon Rayson scored 13 of CMU’s first 17 points of the second half after scoring just two points in the first half, helping the Chippewas cut the lead to 62-58 with 10:23 remaining.
“I just knew we needed to win or go home,” Rayson said. “So (after halftime) I had to come out and attack early, so that’s what I did.”
A 13-4 LA Tech run ensued and CMU couldn’t cut the lead to single digits for the rest of the game.
Rayson finished the night with 20 points, however missed all eight 3-point attempts he took. Junior guard Chris Fowler made all three of his 3-point attempts and led the team with 21 points.
Fowler, Rayson and junior guard Rayshawn Simmons scored 59 of CMU’s 79 points Tuesday.
“I just know that we’re going to be back,” Rayson said. “We’re going to continue to keep this up and continue to get to the postseason. Next year we’re going to go further than we did this year.”
