 CENTRAL MICHIGAN 65, FERRIS STATE 60 The Chippewas (1-0) were able to jump out to an 18-2 lead, holding the Bulldogs (0-2) without a field goal for nearly the first 10 minutes. After a pair of free throws tied the game at 2-2, Ferris missed its next nine attempts from the field as Central pulled away to its largest lead of the night, 16, nine minutes into the game. The Bulldogs were able to recover, coming within seven twice in the half and outshooting the Chippewas most of the last 10 minutes.
Five Chippewas saw their first official action within the first 10 minutes of the game, including Austin McBroom and Olivier Mbaigoto who both earned a spot in the starting lineup. Additionally, Zach Saylor returned to the court for the first time since the 2009-10 season, quickly grabbing a career-best five rebounds by the second media timeout.
Up eight at the four-minute mark, the Chippewas went on an 8-0 run, which included six points from Derek Jackson, to gain another 16-point advantage. Jackson was on the receiving end of an alley-oop after a turnover at the top of the key. Two possessions later, he stole the ball in the same spot and broke away for a fast break dunk. A three-pointer by the Bulldogs stopped the run and ended the first-half scoring at 41-28.
Keel opened his career hitting his first four three-point attempts, contributing a team-high 12 points, all in the first half.
The Bulldogs opened the second half with hot shooting, hitting 60 percent from the floor through the first two media timeouts and pulling within two, 51-49, at the 9:21 mark thanks to a 9-2 run. The Chippewas responded with a 10-3 run of their own over the next 6:30 to go back up nine, 61-52. Ferris wasn't done, however, fighting back with seven straight points to come within two with 26 seconds left. Derek Jackson, however, iced the game by knocking down all four free throw attempts in the final seconds.
Long-range field goals helped keep Ferris State in the game, as the Bulldogs hit six of their first 10 shots from three-point range after halftime, but they finished just 1-of-7 in the final six minutes.
Zeigler notched the second double-double of his career despite attempting just six field goals. Going 2-for-6 from the field, he added seven points from the charity stripe and contributed a career high on the boards.
The Bulldogs were led by Kenny Brown's 20 points on 8-of-19 shooting.
Central is at home again Tuesday, against Charlotte, and will then play 10 of the next 11 games on the road.
Courtesy of Central Michigan Athletics |
