CMU men's basketball loses in final seconds against Minnesota
With 18 seconds remaining in the game and trailing by five, Central Michigan men's basketball needed points to keep its hopes of beating the Minnesota Golden Gophers alive on Monday. That's when CMU guard Drew Barbee found a look from three to make the score 66-64.
The Chippewas traded free throws with the Golden Gophers, trailing by three with 15 seconds remaining. With eight seconds remaining, CMU had two chances to hit a three to force overtime, but both shots fell short to give Minnesota the 68-65 win.
The Chippewas fall to 3-3 on the season.
The game started with CMU scoring back-to-back buckets, taking an early 4-0 lead.
It seemed like the Chippwea offense was prepared to come out of the gates swinging, but the magic faded as they went scoreless for the next seven and a half minutes, allowing 14 unanswered points from Minnesota.
Central Michigan found its footing defensively after its timeout, which turned into points in transition. The Chippewas slowly clawed back into the game, evening the score at 21 with nine minutes remaining in the first half.
The teams traded scores for the rest of the half, with both squads going into halftime with 34 points.
The second half began and both teams continued to trade baskets, with neither team leading by more than four until the final minute. That's when Minnesota guard Dawson Garcia hit back-to-back free throws to give the Gophers a 66-60 lead with 40 seconds to play.
That's when Barbee found the net for three and both teams approached the free throw line, making the score 68-65. With 15 seconds remaining, the Chippewas had possession.
As the time ticked away, CMU guard Cayden Vasko shot a potentially game-tying three, but failed to find the basket.
The ball was rebounded and sent to guard/forward Jakobi Heady who chucked a shot from behind the line with two seconds remaining, but was also unsuccessful leaving the final score 68-65.
Forward Ugnius Jarusevicius returned and led the team in points with 17 after leaving last weeks contest against Central State early with an injury.
Central Michigan slightly outrebounded Minnesota 36-34, but were less successful from the field, shooting only 7-for-24 from three.
CMU men's basketball will have a few days off before returning to McGuirk Arena to host Purdue Northwest at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
