MOUNT PLEASANT -- Four players scored in double-figures and the Central Michigan men's basketball team held Indiana-South Bend to just 27 percent from the floor as the Chippewas claim a 70-42 exhibition victory at Rose Center on Saturday.
"We are contesting every shot and talking on defense, and while there is room for improvement, I'm really excited that we've had two straight outings with good focus defensively," head coach
Ernie Zeigler said. "We just need to take better care of the basketball on offense."
Freshman
Finis Craddock and junior
Marko Spica each scored 13 and junior
Jalin Thomas and senior
Chris Kellermann added 12 each.
Thomas, making his first start in place of the injured
Antonio Weary, finished 5-of-8 from the floor with five rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block in 36 minutes.
"Jalin is a very smart player," Zeigler said. "He looked very comfortable, and he does all the little things for us. He's a great rebounder and knows how to share the basketball and how to finish."
CMU held IUSB to just 19 percent (4-of-21) in the second frame and did not allow the Titans to connect from long range (0-for-7). CMU shot 52 percent from the floor (27-of-52) and 39 percent from deep (7-of-18) and won the rebounding battle, 36-25.
Spica led the Chippewas with eight rebounds and senior
Robbie Harman finished with seven assists and just one turnover at the point, as well as a team-best three steals. Senior
Jordan Bitzer (nine points, five boards) hit three second-half treys and finished 3-for-4 from long range.
The victory ends the Chippewas' exhibition action at 2-0, and the Maroon and Gold now turn their focus to the season opener, at home against Princeton on Nov. 14.
Courtesy: Robert Barclay/CMU
