MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- Central Michigan tied the program record with its 10th nonconference win as the Chippewas topped Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 70-52, in McGuirk Arena on Friday.
CMU improved to 10-2 and . . .
"We're a talented team and we found ways to win," said Central Michigan head coach Keno Davis. "Those are important things to have. But just as important, we have to recognize that just because we've won 10 games doesn't mean anyone in the conference is going to let us win. We know how balanced the conference is."
A slow start for Central Michigan quickly turned in favor of the Chippewas midway through the first half. SIUE led, 10-5, but CMU was able to close the gap and eventually take the lead at the 10:37 mark with two made free throws by Cecil Williams.
Central Michigan finished 21-of-26 (80.8 percent), just above its season average, which ranks third nationally, from the charity stripe.
Williams finished with a team-high 17 points, including 11 from the free throw line. The junior forward also grabbed eight rebounds and had three assists. Shawn Roundtree added 13 points for the Chippewas while Josh Kozinski and Luke Meyer had 12 apiece.
"I was really proud of our team's effort tonight," said Davis. "I was proud of the way we were able to prepare for this game and execute, especially defensively. They played extremely hard and followed the game plan as well as we could've in a short amount of time and fortunately came out with our 10th win."
Kozinski's 12 points came on four 3-pointers, which moved him into a tie for second place on CMU's career list. Now at 256, he needs 16 triples to surpass Braylon Rayson, who set the program mark a year ago.
CMU, who came into the game holding opponents to 65.9 points, limited SIUE's leading scorer, Jalen Henry, to just six points. The Chippewas owned a 44-39 rebounding advantage, highlighted by nine from David DiLeo and Meyer.
"Our players came in this summer ready with a mindset that our defensive struggles last year weren't going to happen this year," Davis said. "They were going to take it upon themselves to be improved defensively. I always knew we would be, I just didn't know how much we could turn the corner, but so far after twelve games the improvement is pretty impressive."
Christian Ellis had a team-high 14 points for SIUE and also led the team in rebounds with eight.
Central Michigan is scheduled to open Mid-American Conference play on Tuesday, Jan. 2 versus Ohio. The Bobcats are 6-5.
"We know there's still room to grow and development, but we look at the fact that we can be a better team as a positive," Davis said. "That's exciting because we know when we step on the court this year we have a chance at each and every game, and I'm not sure last year that was the case."