Rapid Reaction: Western Michigan 91, Central Michigan 82
The Central Michigan Chippewas fell to in-state rival Western Michigan in overtime Friday night at McGuirk Arena, 91-82.
After holding a 12-point halftime lead, the Chippewas allowed the Broncos to climb back into the game and retake the lead with eight minutes remaining in the second half.
Junior guard Braylon Rayson was able to send the game to overtime, making a 3-pointer to tie the game with 13 seconds remaining, but the Chippewas weren’t able to close out WMU in the extra period.
The Chippewas’ record falls to 17-14 (10-8 MAC), but still have a share of the Mid-American Conference West Division title because of a Ball State loss, Friday.
Tale of Two Halves
The Chippewas earned a 12-point halftime lead by holding the Broncos to 30 points on 40 percent shooting. After the break, WMU was able to get to the free throw line 16 times, converting on 10.
CMU was unable to keep their solid shooting start going into the second half, shooting 28.6 percent from the floor after going 18-for-32 (56.3 percent) in the first. The Chippewas also struggled from the 3-point line throughout the game, going 9-of-33 from deep.
Rayson was able to score 22 points in the second half and overtime behind red-hot 3-point shooting, but was unable to will his team to victory. After going 0-for-3 from deep in the first half, Rayson was able to convert on 4-of-7 attempts in the second half and overtime.
Free-Throw Shooting
The Chippewas shot 11-of-20 for the game from the free-throw line. WMU had 28 more attempts than CMU, giving them a 22-point advantage from the free throw line.
In the last matchup between these two teams, the Chippewas were unable to register any attempts from the free throw line in the second half.
Three-Headed Attack
WMU had a balanced scoring attack, where three players reached double digits in scoring.
Sophomore guard Thomas Wilder led the Broncos in scoring with 26 points, after finishing the last meeting with 26 points.
Junior guard/forward Tucker Haymond pitched in by scoring 20 points, 18 of them coming in the second half and overtime. Senior forward Anthony Avery added in 14 points and seven rebounds.
What’s Next
CMU will be the fourth seed in the MAC Tournament, and will have a bye in the first round. The first game will be held Thursday in Cleveland, Ohio.
