CMU can't withstand FIU's strong shooting, falls 96-76
Florida International came into its Dec. 1 matchup with Central Michigan averaging 41 3-point attempts in its first two games. The high volume of attempts led to a high number of makes, 11 in the season opener, 12 in the second game.
Against the Chippewas, FIU shattered those numbers. The Panthers nailed 18 triples, on 41 attempts, ironically, and hit their first nine shots of the second half to roll CMU, 96-76, Tuesday night at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center in Miami, Florida.
The Chippewas simply couldn't keep pace. The two teams raced up and down the floor throughout the first half, with the Panthers knocking down pull-up triples while the Chippewas were able to find some success at the rim.
Junior guard Meikkel Murray was able to create opportunities for himself in transition, senior forward Braden Burke strung together four straight points and freshman forward Aundre Polk drilled mid-range jumpers. Halfway through the first half, the Chippewas remained within striking distance.
Then, the wheels fell off.
FIU senior guard Eric Lovett nailed four 3-pointers in the game's first 10 minutes, creating roadblocks each time the Chippewas tried to create a rally. DJ Mitchell, playing in his first game for the Panthers, kickstarted a 10-0 run with eight straight points and soon the Panthers' three-point advantage was 13.
The Panthers would never look back.
The hot-shooting continued early in the second half, with FIU sprinting to a 29-point lead on the strength of a 33-15 run. CMU battled to rally, with senior guard and Miami native Travon Broadway Jr. leading the charge. Broadway Jr. scored 17 of his team-high 19 points in the second half.
FIU had an answer each time the Chippewas tried to rally. When sophomore guard PJ Mitchell knocked down a triple to get the team within 20, FIU answered immediately with Isaiah Banks' 3-pointer.
The discrepancy in shooting percentage, with the Panthers shooting 51 percent to the Chippewas' 42, extended to the battle on the boards as FIU outrebounded CMU 44-33. Junior Malik Muhammad, who has been billed as the Chippewas' best rebounder, remains out with an injury.
Polk was in double figures for the first time in his career with 10 points, while juniors Ralph Bissainthe and Matt Beachler joined Mitchell with eight points. Freshman guards Ra'Shad Weekly-McDaniels and Dylan Jergens made their Chippewa debuts late in the game.
Lovett led all scorers with 20 points. Junior guard Tevin Brewer had 14 points while fellow junior guard Antonio Daye Jr. scored 11.
The Chippewas (0-2) return to action against Division II opponent Flagler College at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
