CMU finishes the 2018 Junkanoo Jam with a 2-1 record and is 4-1 overall this season.
The Chippewas forced 20 turnovers, including 13 steals, while shooting 47 percent from the field (15-of-30 in the second half) but finished 7-of-30 from beyond the arc.
The Spartans shot 51 percent from the floor and 44 percent from three, including 5-of-10 in the first half.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Spartans shot 58 percent from the field in the first half, including 5-of-10 from the 3-point line, but the Chippewas trailed by only four points going into intermission. Kevin McKay lead CMU with 12 points and four rebounds in the opening 20 minutes. Craig Lecesne scored 11 points on four-of-four shooting for the Spartans.
The Chippewas opened a 50-48 lead in the second half, but a 12-0 Spartan run put CMU in a 10-point deficit. Central clawed its way back to tie the game 69-69 with 2:15 remaining, setting the stage for a back-and-forth finale.
With the game tied 74-74, Roundtree Jr. took the game into his own hands, dropping in a running floater to provide the Chippewas a 76-74 lead. San Jose State attempted a hail mary on the ensuing in-bounds but Larry Austin Jr. intercepted it at the free throw line, securing CMU's fourth victory of the season.
LEADERS
McKay lead CMU with 24 points, 12 rebounds and four steals, shooting 11-of-17 from the floor. The double-double was the sixth of his career, tied with David DiLeo for most among active Chippewas. Roundtree Jr. added 16 points on 5-of-10 shooting, while Austin Jr. contributed 15 points.
TURNING DOWN 3'S
Davis said the Chippewas found offensive success late in the game by passing up 3-point opportunities, leaning on driving to the basket instead.
"We have to be able to learn that when the (3-point) shots aren't falling we can score at the basket, score in the post, score off the dribble," Davis said. "I thought late in the game we did a good job of attacking the basket."
NEXT
The Chippewas return to McGuirk Arena Sunday, Nov. 25 against Siena Heights. Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m.
(Courtesy of CMU Athletics)