Thomas scores 23 points in 68-58 loss
Senior forward Jalin Thomas returned from injury in grand fashion, scoring 17 first-half points, but Miami outscored Central Michigan, 38-24, in the second half to secure a 68-58 win in McGuirk Arena Thursday night.
MT. PLEASANT --
"We knew that we were going to have a really physical game tonight and Miami did a really good job particularly in the second half of just imposing their will," head coach Ernie Zeigler said.
With the game tied, 48-48, at the 9:16 mark of the second half, the RedHawks (9-11, 4-2 MAC) used a 6-0 run on layups by Allen Roberts, Antonio Ballard and Orlando Williams to take a 54-48 lead over the Chippewas (5-14, 2-4 MAC) with 7:04 to go.
Freshman Trey Zeigler quickly responded with a 6-0 run of his own to tie the game back up at 54. Miami's Nick Winbush put the RedHawks back on top, 56-54, with 5:34 remaining, only to see Zeigler tie the game on his eighth straight point for CMU 20 seconds later. It was, however, the last field goal for the Chippewas until two seconds left in the game.
Following the Zeigler jumper, MU went on a 12-0 run, knocking down 6-of-7 free throw attempts to secure the win.
Behind the return of Thomas, the Chippewas jumped in front early on the RedHawks. After missing the last two games with an ankle injury, the senior knocked down five three-point field goals in the first half. His fourth three came at the 4:54 mark to give CMU its largest lead of the game, a 27-20 edge. After Miami brought the game within three, Thomas knocked down his fifth three with 37 seconds before halftime, putting the Chippewas on top, 34-28. Miami's Antonio Ballard hit a fadeaway jumper at the buzzer for the RedHawks and the Maroon and Gold led 34-30 at the half.
Thomas hit his sixth and seventh three-point field goals within the first five minutes of the second half, but did not score again and finished the game with 23 points.
"Jalin was playing at 60-to-65 percent and he really couldn't move," Zeigler said. "He couldn't put it on the floor and drive. He gutted it out and he gave us some really good inspiration and gave us a shot at maybe pulling this game out on our home floor."
Zeigler finished with 17 points for the Chippewas, while Finis Craddock finished with seven, all in the first half.
The RedHawks used a 34-23 edge on the boards and finished the game shooting 63.6 percent (28-for-44). Winbush led MU with 20, shooting 8-of-11, while pulling in nine rebounds. Ballard finished with a double-double, scoring 18 points and pulling down a game-high 11 rebounds.
CMU will be back in action Sunday when it travels to Akron. Tipoff is set for 6:05 p.m.
