Mount Pleasant, MI (Sports Network) - Kyle Randall led the way with 23 points
as the Central Michigan Chippewas nipped the Eastern Michigan Eagles, 61-59,
in a Mid-American Conference battle at McGuirk Arena.
Olivier Mbiagoto added 14 points for the Chippewas (11-18, 4-11 MAC), while
Blake Hibbitts finished with 13 points and Chris Fowler dished out 10 assists.
With the win Central Michigan has recorded back-to-back victories for the
first time since December
For the Eagles (14-16, 7-8), Derek Thompson scored 14 points, Glenn Bryant
tallied 13 points and Daylen Harrison chipped in with 12 points.
Central Michigan shot 50 percent from the field, including 7-of-14 from 3-
point range, as it took a 33-24 lead into intermission. Eastern Michigan was
held to just 37 percent shooting from the field in the half.
In the second half, it was the Eagles who were hot from the field, making 55.6
percent of their shots and 3-of-9 from 3-point range. The Chippewas struggled
from the floor, making only 33.3 percent of their shots from the field and
just 2-of-10 from beyond the 3-point arc. The game was tightly played in the
second half, and with the score tied at 59-59, Mbaigoto hit a jumper with 1:19
remaining to put the Chippewas ahead for good. A Thompson missed 3-pointer
with 59 seconds on the clock was the last chance for the Eagles, as the
Chippewas held on for the victory.
Central Michigan outscored Eastern Michigan, 12-3, from the free-throw line.
The Eagles outrebounded the Chippewas, 36-24.
GAME NOTES:
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