MOUNT PLEASANT, Michigan — The Central Michigan Chippewas controlled the rebounding game and used a smooth fast break to run past the Maine Black Bears for a 76-48 men’s basketball win in the Central Michigan Tournament on Friday night at McGuirk Arena.
After a slow start in the first half, the Chippewas used a 24-6 scoring run over a six-minute period for a 17-point lead and the outcome was never in doubt the rest of the way.
Junior forward John Simons sparked Central Michigan with 17 points while senior guard Austin Keel and 6-foot-11 freshman forward Luke Meyer each chipped in with 10 points.
The Chippewas outrebounded the Bears 37-27 and one of the results of their solid transition offense was a 59.2 percent shooting effort (29 of 49) from the field.
Central Michigan held the Bears to a season-low 48 points by limiting them to a 20-of-54 effort (37 percent) from the field. Maine also hit only 5 of 13 attempts (38.5 percent) from the line.
Sophomore forward Marko Pirovic was the only Black Bear to hit double figures as he scored 11 points. Junior guard Shaun Lawton added nine points and junior forward Till Gloger put in six.
It was the first meeting between the two teams and the first game for Central Michigan against an America East team as the Chippewas improved to 3-0 and the Bears slipped to 0-3.
Maine sophomore swingman Garet Beal is recuperating from a concussion and didn’t make the trip with the team. He has not played in Maine’s first three games.
Maine’s struggles on the defensive and offensive ends don’t matter until the team’s mental approach changes, first-year coach Bob Walsh said on the Black Bear network after the game.
“Our mentality is not where it should be for how we approach games,” he said. “The mindset is not proper. It’s my responsibility to change that.”
The Bears battled to a 9-8 lead at the start of the first half. Zarko Valjarevic and Pirovic hit back-to-back 3-pointers, Ethan Mackey sank a free throw and Aaron Calixte nailed a jumper to give the Bears the one-point edge with 11:54 left in the half.
The Chippewas responded by controlling the rebounding game, which kicked their fast-break game into gear. The result was a 24-6 scoring run over the next six minutes for a 32-15 lead with 5:19 left in the half.
The surge was highlighted by two dunks by Meyer, who finished with eight first-half points.
The Chippewas rattled off seven unanswered points toward the end of the run, which Gloger ended with a layup with 4:43 left.
Central Michigan responded with a Blake Hibbitts 3-pointer, another Meyer dunk, and an Keel jumper and free throw for a 40-17 advantage with 2:25 left.
Maine managed to cut it down to 41-21 at the half. The Chippewas upped their lead to as much as 26 in the second half and the Bears got no closer than 17.
Maine will play its second game in the Central Michigan Tourney at 9:30 a.m. Sunday against Valparaiso.
Regis 64, Thomas 59
At Weston, Massachusetts, Ethan Peana and Sam Jean-Gilles each scored 14 points to lead Regis by the Terriers of Waterville.
Hector Heredia added 10 points for Regis (4-0) and Jordan Monts grabbed 10 rebounds. Regis outrebounded Thomas 44-28.
Levi Barnes poured in 35 points to lead Thomas (1-3). Barnes hit 12 of 20 field goals, including a 6-for-10 effort from 3-point land. Eric Westbrooks added nine points and Ian King had seven rebounds.
Colby 96, Daniel Webster 66
At Waterville, Chris Hudnut was a force inside with 24 points and 15 rebounds as Colby rolled by Daniel Webster College on the first day of the Colby Classic at Wadsworth Gymnasium.
The Mules (2-1) will play in Saturday’s championship game at 3 p.m. against the winner of the late Friday game between Endicott College and Plymouth State University.
Colby point guard Luke Westman added 16 points on 8-for-13 shooting, dished a game-high five assists, and added five rebounds. Shane Rogers came off the bench and added 13 points, four assists, and nailed three of his five 3-point shots.
Ray Farmer led Daniel Webster (2-1) with 18 points. He also had three steals, six rebounds, and two assists.
Husson 68, St. Joseph’s 66
At Newman Gym in Bangor on Thursday night, Husson took a five-point lead at halftime and then held on to beat the Monks of Standish in a mutual opener.
The Eagles increased their lead to as much as seven in the second half, but the Monks battled back and took a 60-58 lead when Quinn Richardson-Newton hit a layup with 7:39 left.
Husson answered as Raheem Anderson and Mitch Worcester hit back-to-back 3-pointers for a 64-60 advantage a minute later.
The Eagles wouldn’t give up the lead the rest of the way and St. Joe’s missed a chance to win it at the buzzer when Steve Simonds missed a 3-pointer.
Trevon Butler paced Husson with 19 points and four steals. Anderson chipped in with 14 points and seven rebounds and Eli Itkin added 11 points.
Simonds finished with 26 points and eight rebounds to lead St. Joe’s. Richardson-Newton added 11 points.