CMU improves to 12-8, 5-2 MAC with . . .
How It Happened
CMU starting point guard Devontae Lane left the game with an injury early in the second half. Winston, his backup, stepped up and scored eight of his 18 points in the second half to keep the Chippewas ahead.
Central Michigan led by as many as 12 points, 72-60, with just over six minutes to play. Western Michigan stormed back with a 14-6 run to cut the lead to four, 78-74, with 53 seconds remaining.
Two free throws made by Winston, David DiLeo, and one from Dallas Morgan would help the Chippewas close out their rival. CMU never trailed.
"We've been working pretty hard in practice, not just on defense, but on offensive execution," CMU coach Keno Davis said. "We're really good in the fastbreak, but we knew we had to improve on the half-court offense."
The Chippewas did not play a midweek game for the second-consecutive week. That played a role in their preparation, Davis said.
"With the back-to-back bye weeks, we had some opportunities to try to get better, and I think you saw that," he said. "We have some really talented players, and if we continue to get healthy, you're going to see this team become a better and better offensive team."
Said McKay, who had 19 points and 12 rebounds for his 16th career double-double: "Basically we were trying to find favorable matchups. A lot of times I had them, but (David) DiLeo had a smaller guard on him, and our guards at times had some bigger big men on them. So, we were just trying find the right matchup, and follow the (scouting report) on defense."
Team Stats
The Chippewas shot 50.8 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from 3-point range. They made 20 of their 23 free throw attempts (87 percent).
CMU committed just nine turnovers, its season low for a MAC game.
Stepping Up
With the injury to Lane in the second half, CMU needed Winston to step up and play a big role.
"We've been high on Winston ever since we recruited him," Davis said. "He's been kind of limited just playing behind Lane to start the year. But, as he's progressed and (started to) understand the system, he's able to play starter's minutes now.
"He does about everything, he can share the ball, he can score, he can shoot it. We've had a lot of success at CMU with two point guards on the court at the same time. This is another great example of how that can help you on both ends."