Basketball drops close rematch with Grand Canyon
Members of the CMU mens basketball team shoot practice shots during warmups before the semi-final game against Toledo on March 13, at Quicken Loans Arena.
Making the 2,000-plus mile trek to the southwest, Central Michigan men’s basketball fell to Grand Canyon 75-72 Thursday night in what was a rematch of last year’s contest in Mount Pleasant.
The game this time being played at GCU Arena in Phoenix, Arizona, resulted differently for the Chippewas as they continue to play without senior guard Chris Fowler, who is still missing time due to injury.
CMU is now 3-4 after playing their first true road game of the season, while GCU remains unbeaten at 6-0 on the young season.Junior guard Braylon Rayson led the Chippewas in scoring with 25 points. Rayson also went 7-for-18 from the field. He made all seven of his free-throw attempts in the loss.
Not far behind Rayson was senior forward John Simons. Scoring 24 points in total, Simons was also a threat from long range, converting four of his six chances from beyond the arc. As a team the Chippewas shot 40 percent from the field and 35.7 percent from 3-point range.
Every time it seemed Grand Canyon was going to run away with the game, CMU would quickly respond with a 3-pointer, staying in the game and eventually tying it at 36 points apiece at halftime.
The Chippewas managed to claim the lead a handful of times, but they were never able to hold onto it permanently.
CMU will return home for its next game against Aquinas College at 7 p.m. on Jan.7. at McGuirk Arena.
