MOUNT PLEASANT, MI - MAC West teams haven’t fared well at all against East Division teams this season, but one team seems to have some answers about how to tame the East.
Central Michigan’s Jordan Bitzer proved to be an answer Tuesday as he scored 10 of his team’s last 12 points, including a game-winning jumper with 32 seconds left, to propel CMU past visiting Miami 57-55 at Rose Arena.
Central Michigan (7-15, 4-6 MAC), ambushed Ohio 76-69 January 29 in Mount Pleasant and nearly upset league-leading Buffalo on the road. The Chippewas also were within a point of Bowling Green in the last minute, but couldn’t get the win.
Bitzer’s timely shooting during the final minutes Tuesday allowed CMU to get the victory this time. In so doing, it snapped a three-game Chippewa slide and prevented Miami from extending a 13-game win streak against the Maroon and Gold.
The setback ended Miami’s four game win streak – all against MAC West teams – and prevented the RedHawks from going 5-0 in MAC road games for the first time since the 1983-1984 season.
“We just didn’t play good tonight, and I think we’ve got ourselves to blame,” said Miami coach Charlie Coles, who coached at CMU for six seasons. Coles, now in his 13th season at the Miami helm, had never lost to Central Michigan as a head coach.
Although Miami shot the ball well (22 for 38, 57.9 percent) from the field, it failed to cash in at the free throw line. The RedHawks made just eight of 15 (53.3 percent) from the charity stripe and also undermined their cause with 16 turnovers.
Central Michigan, meanwhile, made 19 of 45 (42.2 percent) from the field and 13 of 16 from the line. Although Miami (60 percent) had better percentage behind the arc, the Chippewas (40 percent) converted three more treys than the RedHawks.
Marcus Van had seven rebounds overall and scored 11 of his 18 points in the first half to lead CMU in both categories. Bitzer was also in double figures with 13.
A bright spot for the visitors was the offensive production of forward Michael Bramos. He led all scorers with 24 points on 9 of 13 from the field and 3 of 5 from the free throw line. The senior also connected on 3 of 4 treys, as he had his most productive offensive outing since another 24-point performance January 17 against Kent State. He had eight field goals in that game and his nine baskets against Central Michigan were the most field goals for Bramos during the current MAC this season.
Neither team got much production from its bench, with CMU subs providing four points and the RedHawks getting a pair of free throws from Carl Richburg.
Richburg’s charity throws capped an 11-1 Miami first half run which gave the visitors a 21-13. Van scored seven points as Central Michigan rallied to close within one at 28-27.
After outscoring Miami 12-5 to end the first half, the Chippewas went on a 12-3 run to start the second half.
Led by Bramos’ six points and seven by Dierkers, Miami fought back to take a 49-47 lead. Bitzer tied it with a pair of free throws and then scored five of the final eight Chippewa points.
Miami (14-8, 7-3 MAC) winds up its regular season competition against MAC West teams Saturday when it hosts Western Michigan. It will be Hall of Fame Day at Millett, and the 1999 NCAA Sweet 16 team will be honored.
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