By Staff
Central Michigan University had its chances in a 77-71 loss to Ohio State on Tuesday in the second round of the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational.
The loss snapped CMU's two-game winning streak against Big Ten Conference teams.
After falling behind by eight early, the Chippewas clawed their way back into it in typical CMU fashion … taking charges and diving for loose balls.
After trailing by four at the half, CMU tied the game at 42 early in the second half and then again at 55 with 10:50 remaining. But, the Chippewas were never able to swing the momentum their way enough to take a lead.
Following a media timeout with 2:30 left in the game, Adam Dentlinger came up with a big block on a layup by Tony Stockman and the Chippewas went streaking to the other end of the floor where Tony Bowne cut the OSU lead in half with a 3-pointer with 1:42 left.
CMU caught a break when J.J. Sullinger missed a pair of free throws but the Chippewas turned the ball over on the offensive end when T.J. Meerman slipped on a cut to the paint and Bowne's passed was picked up by Brandon Fuss-Cheatham.
Ohio State couldn't capitalize on the CMU turnover as Terence Dials missed a layup, giving the Chippewas another chance to possibly tie it but Meerman's 3-pointer was off the mark following a lengthy Chippewa possession.
Niles High School graduate Gerrit Brigitha posted the first double-double of his career with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Two other Chippewas hit double figures with Brandon Voorhees and Kevin Nelson each scoring 10.
Ohio State's Terence Dials had 14 points and 14 boards to go along with Tony Stockman's 14 points in the winning effort.
A total of 52 fouls were called in the game, 31 against the Chippewas and 21 against the Buckeyes. Two Chippewas fouled out in the contest, Dentlinger and Sefton Barrett while Nelson battled foul trouble early and finished with four.
The Chippewas shot 41 percent from the floor and were outrebounded 42-34. Ohio State made more free throws (27) than CMU attempted (20).
Bowne chipped in nine points, five boards and three assists and Robert Sevalia added nine points as well.
CMU closes action in the Maui Invitational today when it faces Santa Clara Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. EST and the game can be heard on cmuchippewas.com and the CMU Radio Network.
Central Michigan travels to Notre Dame on Saturday, Dec. 6, for a 9 p.m. meeting with the No. 21 Irish.
Ohio State……………77
Central Michigan….71
Ohio State: Ivan Harris 1 0-0 3, Terence Dials 3 8-12 14, J.J. Sullinger 3 2-6 8, Brandon Fuss-Cheatham 2 2-4 6, Ricardo Billings 3 6-6 13, Charles Bass 0 0-0 0, Tony Stockman 3 6-6 14, Velimir Radinovic 2 3-5 7, Matt Sylvester 3 0-0 8, Shun Jenkins 2 0-2 4. Totals: 22 27-41 77
Central Michigan: Brandon Voorhees 3 2-2 10, Gerrit Brigitha 5 3-5 13, Tony Bowne 3 2-2 9, T.J. Meerman 3 0-0 8, Kevin Nelson 4 0-0 10, Sefton Barrett 1 1-1 3, Robert Sevalia 3 1-2 9, Joe Carr 0 0-0 0, David Hoskins 0 4-6 4, Adam Dentlinger 2 1-2 5. Totals: 24 14-20 71
Halftime score: Ohio State 42, Central Michigan 38
3-point shooting: Ohio State 6 (Sylvester 2, Stockman 2, Harris, Billings), Central Michigan 9 (Voorhees 2, Meerman 2, Nelson 2, Sevalia 2, Bowne). Team fouls (fouled out): Ohio State 21 (none), Central Michigan 31 (Dentlinger, Barrett). Team records: Ohio State 1-2, Central Michigan 0-2