Polk shines as CMU downs Western Illinois for first win
Freshman forward Aundre Polk had to go to the bench after picking up his fourth foul with 15:14 remaining. Down on frontcourt depth with centers Malik Muhammad and Caleb Hodgson out, CMU's men's basketball team was forced to play a majority of the second half against Western Illinois with a small lineup.
Polk re-entered the game late and finished with a team-high 19 points as the Chippewas went on to defeat the Leathernecks 79-73 on Sunday in Western Hall in Macomb, Illinois. Sunday's win was the Chippewas' first of the season after losing the first three games.
With the small lineup, which featured junior Ralph Bissainthe playing the center position, the Chippewas and Leathernecks went back and forth. When Polk re-entered the game, with 6:52 remaining, CMU was clinging to a 62-59 lead.
Polk scored the first points upon entering the game, and the Chippewas promptly left the Leathernecks in the dust. The freshman from racked up 15 of his 19 points in the second half, and CMU knocked off WIU to earn its first win of the season.
Polk diced the Leatherneck defense, exhibiting a soft touch on several jumpers and slipping to the rim for dunks. At 6-foot-10, Polk stands taller than any member of the Chippewa roster last season, and four games into the year he has asserted himself among the most consistent options.
The Chippewas outscored the Leathernecks 48-35 in the second half and shot 62 percent in the game's final 20 minutes. CMU's defense created 18 turnovers, four of which were forced by senior point guard Devontae Lane.
Lane had a solid day, posting season-high totals in points (14), assists (6) and minutes (34) and came up one shy of tying his season-best in rebounds. The Iowa City, Iowa native went on a personal 5-0 run to bring the Chippewas within a point midway through the second half.
Junior guards Caleb Huffman and Meikkel Murray totaled 15 and 12 points apiece, with Murray leading the team in rebounds with eight.
Polk and senior guard Travon Broadway Jr. missed significant time in the second half with foul trouble, both totaling four fouls. Broadway still managed to play 30 minutes and tallied 11 points. Bissainthe was also impressive, scoring eight points and playing multiple positions throughout the game.
The Leathernecks led by seven points, 38-31, at halftime. Tamell Pearson led all scorers with 22 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Rod Johnson scored 15 points while Colton Sandage added 13. WIU squandered the lead with 10:18 remaining and never recovered.
The Chippewas (1-3) return to action for their home opener at 4:30 on Dec. 12 against Valparaiso (1-3) in McGuirk Arena.
