
"In the locker room tonight, we talked. yes, about defense and how we needed to improve our numbers. We talked about offensive efficiency and getting good shots, getting to the free throw line," head coach Keno Davis said. "But the thing that we left them with is that we could win some games this year on rebounding alone."
And the Chippewas did just that.
CMU outrebounded the Penguins, 54-30, and only allowed three offensive rebounds for YSU, including zero in the second half.
CMU jumped out to a 12-3 lead in the first half when Austin Stewart hit a three with 15 minutes remaining.
Stewart totaled eight points, five rebounds and a game-high three steals.
Youngstown State hit back-to-back 3-pointers to tie the game up at 14-all at the 10:45 mark, but that was as close as it would get in a game where the Chippewas never trailed.
Chris Fowler sank two free throws heading into halftime to give the Chippewas an 11-point lead at the break, 36-25.
Fowler ended the night with a team-high 16 points in 34 minutes. The junior dished out eight assists and went 8-of-9 from the stripe.
Central Michigan led by at least six throughout the second half and led by as many as 15 with just under eight minutes to play, 59-44.
It was a good night in the paint for the Maroon and Gold as they tallied 22 points from inside.
Freshman forward Luke Meyer had his second-straight double-digit scoring game, recording 13 points in addition to collecting nine rebounds. He was also key to limiting damage by YSU's leading scorer. Bobby Hain, entered the game averaging 16.5 points and 9.5 rebounds, but he was held to just seven points and three rebounds.
CMU is back in action on Friday at 7 p.m. versus Maine as part of the Central Michigan Tournament and again on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
(Courtesy of CMU Athletics/MRO Edit)