Cullen Maksimowski, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- The Central Michigan Chippewas continued their torrid start to the 2016-17 season Thursday, downing Marygrove, 107-58, at McGuirk Arena.
The Chippewas run their record to a perfect 3-0 to open the season and are 2-0 on their home court. CMU defeated Indiana Kokomo, 117-53, in their home opener.
The Mustangs, who play in the NAIA, drop to 1-7.
"It's important for us, having such a young team, to understand that we still need to get better," CMU coach Keno Davis said. "We still have to work on our offensive execution, our defensive stance and our rebounding.
"You want to get wins, but . . .
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- The Central Michigan Chippewas continued their torrid start to the 2016-17 season Thursday, downing Marygrove, 107-58, at McGuirk Arena.
The Chippewas run their record to a perfect 3-0 to open the season and are 2-0 on their home court. CMU defeated Indiana Kokomo, 117-53, in their home opener.
The Mustangs, who play in the NAIA, drop to 1-7.
"It's important for us, having such a young team, to understand that we still need to get better," CMU coach Keno Davis said. "We still have to work on our offensive execution, our defensive stance and our rebounding.
"You want to get wins, but . . .
. . . we also want to use these nights as a learning process and we still get exposed to things we need to work on. If we can do that while we win games, I think that's great."
Marygrove never led in the game but challenged CMU in the first half, cutting an 11-point deficit to four, 27-23, with just over seven minutes to play in the half.
Marygrove never led in the game but challenged CMU in the first half, cutting an 11-point deficit to four, 27-23, with just over seven minutes to play in the half.
The Mustangs kept pace with the Chippewas on the glass as well, finishing the half at an even 26-26 mark in rebounds.
Central Michigan shot just 33.3 percent from the field and led 40-30 at halftime.
"They had a good game plan for us coming in," Davis said. "They were going to pack the lane, not let us get to the free throw line and make us make that extra pass."
Central Michigan caught fire in the second half with a 19-5 run in the first five minutes, shooting 57.8 percent from the field and 41.2 percent from 3-point range over the final 20 minutes.
The Chippewa defense clamped down as well, allowing just 18 points in the second half and holding the Mustangs to a 31.6 field goal percentage.
CMU finished the game shooting 44.9 percent from the field and was 24.4 percent from behind the arc. The Chippewas out-rebounded Marygrove, 59-42.
Junior guard Marcus Keene led the Central Michigan offense for the third-straight game, scoring 23 points. However, with 10 minutes left in the game, Kenne left with a leg injury after a hard foul and did not return.
Senior Braylon Rayson put up a season-high 22 points for the Chippewas and had a team-high four steals to go along with six rebounds
"The shots are starting to come," said Rayson, who was averaging 17.5 points per game coming in. "I haven't been shooting well lately, so I know I have to stay in the gym and work to be more consistent."
CMU freshman Kevin McKay had a career night in just his third collegiate game. He posted a double-double, his second of the year, and led the Chippewas with 11 rebounds to go along with 16 points, 13 of which came in the second half.
"Coach always tells me I've just got to go in there and bring energy," McKay said. "I'm an energy guy, I go in and try to rebound and create turnovers and if I can score on my opportunities, then I'll take it."
Junior Cecil Williams also finished in double digits for the Chippewas, scoring 12 points while bringing down eight rebounds.
Nate Taylor led the Mustangs with 14 points, while Eli Ingram added 11.
Central Michigan returns to action next week when it heads to Austin, Texas for the Lone Star Showcase. CMU will face Pepperdine, St. Bonaventure and Little Rock.
Central Michigan shot just 33.3 percent from the field and led 40-30 at halftime.
"They had a good game plan for us coming in," Davis said. "They were going to pack the lane, not let us get to the free throw line and make us make that extra pass."
Central Michigan caught fire in the second half with a 19-5 run in the first five minutes, shooting 57.8 percent from the field and 41.2 percent from 3-point range over the final 20 minutes.
The Chippewa defense clamped down as well, allowing just 18 points in the second half and holding the Mustangs to a 31.6 field goal percentage.
CMU finished the game shooting 44.9 percent from the field and was 24.4 percent from behind the arc. The Chippewas out-rebounded Marygrove, 59-42.
Junior guard Marcus Keene led the Central Michigan offense for the third-straight game, scoring 23 points. However, with 10 minutes left in the game, Kenne left with a leg injury after a hard foul and did not return.
Senior Braylon Rayson put up a season-high 22 points for the Chippewas and had a team-high four steals to go along with six rebounds
"The shots are starting to come," said Rayson, who was averaging 17.5 points per game coming in. "I haven't been shooting well lately, so I know I have to stay in the gym and work to be more consistent."
CMU freshman Kevin McKay had a career night in just his third collegiate game. He posted a double-double, his second of the year, and led the Chippewas with 11 rebounds to go along with 16 points, 13 of which came in the second half.
"Coach always tells me I've just got to go in there and bring energy," McKay said. "I'm an energy guy, I go in and try to rebound and create turnovers and if I can score on my opportunities, then I'll take it."
Junior Cecil Williams also finished in double digits for the Chippewas, scoring 12 points while bringing down eight rebounds.
Nate Taylor led the Mustangs with 14 points, while Eli Ingram added 11.
Central Michigan returns to action next week when it heads to Austin, Texas for the Lone Star Showcase. CMU will face Pepperdine, St. Bonaventure and Little Rock.
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