| The Birds jumped out to an early 5-0 lead off of a hook shot by Marcus
Arnold, followed by a 3 pointer by Gregg
Alexander. Central Michigan scored the next 4 points to get within 1
point, before Vince Greene connected
for 5 straight points to give ISU a 10-4 lead. Later an Andy
Strandmark dunk, followed by 2 free throws saw the Birds up 14-6 with
less than 12 minutes remaining in the half. CMU managed to cut the deficit
down to 3, 20-17, but an ISU 9-4 run gave the Birds an 8 point advantage
with less than 5 minutes remaining in the half. CMU answered with a 8-4
run of their own to finish the half down 32-28. Boo
Bojang and Chris Burras both
collected 3 fouls in the half. CMU was 2-13 from behind the arc in the
half.
Arnold started the scoring for the Birds again in the second half, before
CMU took their first lead of the game, 35-34 at the 18:20 mark. The teams
traded 2 ties and 6 lead changes over the next 6 and a half minutes. CMU
took a 49-46 lead at the 11:44 mark and never trailed again. They lead by
as many as 9 points, 59-50. CMU went 5-5 on 3 points shots during the
stretch. ISU closed to within 3 points, 68-65, however Bojang fouled
out on the next trip down the court on a 3 point attempt. They made 2-3 to
boost the lead back to 5. A goal tend was called on a shot by Strandmark
to get ISU back within 3 but the 2 teams traded points the rest of the
way.
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